Domestic Violence Consultation

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/consultati ons/definition-domestic-violence/dv- definition-consultation?view=Binary

"The government seeks views on the desirability to revise the definition of domestic violence.
There are four options for consideration.

Option 1 – The government’s definition of domestic violence remains the same.
This option seeks views on whether the cross government definition should remain the same or should it be widened or amended?
In addition we are also seeking views on if the definition is applied properly by government departments and frontline practitioners.

Option 2 – The definition of domestic violence is amended to include coercive control.
This option asks for your views on whether the cross-government definition should also include the wording of ‘coercive control’. Coercive control is a complex pattern of abuse using power and psychological control over another – financial control, verbal abuse, forced social isolation.

Option 3 – The government’s definition of domestic violence is extended to all 16-17 year olds.
The current cross-government definition of domestic violence applies to adults over the age of 18. This option seeks your views on whether the cross government definition should be extended to include 16-17 year olds.
Option 4 – The government’s definition of domestic violence is extended to all those under 18.
The current cross-government definition of domestic violence applies to adults over the age of 18.
This option seeks your views on whether or not the cross government definition should be extended to include all those under 18."

"This consultation is open to the public....
Duration: 14th December 2011 to 30th March 2012

bump

Thanks - of itself the consultation's important enough ....but the definition determines who gets automatic legal aid?
I suspect the aim is to keep the definition as narrow as possible.

I agree. It's very important that people respond to this.

Carrie

In the New Year, we will be engaging members for their thoughts on this consultation with a view to submitting an official response from Wikivorce.

I will post soon about how we will do this, but in the meantime, I would urge members to submit individual responses to this important public consultation.