A legal loophole, which allows parents co-accused of their child’s murder to escape punishment by remaining silent or blaming each other, will be closed under measures announced in the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Bill, writes Clare Jerrom.
The bill, published by the Home Office, creates a new offence of 'familial homicide' for causing or allowing the death of a child or vulnerable adult.
Other measures in the bill, which the government said is the biggest overhaul of law in this area for 30 years, include making common assault an arrestable offence. Police wil be given significant new powers to deal with domestic violence, including making it a criminal offence to breach a non-molestation order.
Civil law on domestic violence will be strengthened to give co-habiting same-sex couples the same protection as heterosexual couples.
The government also proposes to give victims stronger legal protection by extending the use of restraining orders, and by setting up an independent commissioner for victims to promote the interests of victims and witnesses.
At the same time, the Home Office announced that a register of civil orders will be created to allow police to check for outstanding orders against an alleged offender. More than £6 million over three years has been allocated to help national and local projects tackle domestic abuse, and a 24-hour domestic violence helpline will be launched before Christmas.
Youth Justice and the Youth Justice Board
26 August 2008
Substance misuse
15 August 2008
Details of government consultations
21 August 2008
Private Member Bills
25 July 2008
Government Legislation
25 July 2008
