Plans to protect children from domestic violence unveiled

Measures to protect children from domestic violence have been
announced by the government.

Family courts will have to consider the harm children may suffer
as a result of violence in the home as well as the harm that
children may suffer after witnessing or hearing abuse against
another person.

Lawyers will also be required to fill in forms to ensure that
allegations of abuse are raised at the beginning of court
proceedings so that courts can make decisions in the light of all
the facts.

The procedures will affect courts dealing with the contact,
residence and other applications under section eight of the
Children Act 1989.

Children’s minister Margaret Hodge will shortly publish
the government’s response to the Children Act sub-committee
report ‘making Contact Work’.