Domestic Abuse

A wide-ranging bill introducing new standalone offences of stalking and non-fatal strangulation, increasing the maximum sentence for various offences and introducing new protections for victims has completed all stages in the Oireachtas. The Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which de

Just 14 applications for a legal aid eligibility waiver on the grounds of domestic abuse have been issued since they became available in Northern Ireland over a year ago, new figures show. The Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (Northern Ireland) 2021, which came into force in February 2022,&n

Victims and survivors of domestic and sexual abuse are being retraumatised by having to simultaneously navigate separate criminal, family and child protection processes, according to a new report. The Report on the Intersection of the Criminal Justice, Private Family Law and Public Law Child Care Pr

Legislation creating a new statutory agency dedicated to tackling and reducing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) will be published this summer, the government has confirmed. The government's chief whip, Hildegarde Naughton, yesterday published the summer legislative programme contai

Children should be taught about domestic violence at school to cut offending, a Northern Ireland judge has said. Judge Barney McElholm, of Londonderry Magistrates' Court, told BBC News NI that there has been an increase in the number of domestic abuse cases coming before him.

Lawyers must continue to challenge the Northern Ireland courts to properly protect victims and survivors of domestic abuse, a prominent family lawyer has said. Claire Edgar, family law partner at Francis Hanna & Co Solicitors, was among the speakers at The Bar of Northern Ireland's recent confer

Ministers have approved the general scheme of legislation creating a new statutory agency dedicated to tackling and reducing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV). A key responsibility of the new agency will be overseeing and supporting the provision of refuge accommodation for victims,

The Bar of Northern Ireland has called for a "whole society approach" to tackling domestic abuse at a conference marking one year since the commencement of landmark legislation. More than 200 legal and lay professionals attended the conference marking the anniversary of the Domestic Abuse and Civil

The government has ordered a review into waiting times for domestic violence orders in the District Court amid claims that vulnerable people are waiting as long as 16 weeks in parts of the State. Simon Harris confirmed in the Dáil that he had asked the Courts Service to prepare a report on th

Northern Ireland's new draft domestic and sexual abuse strategy has gone out for public consultation. The launch of the consultation by the Departments of Health and Justice coincides with Sexual Abuse & Sexual Violence Awareness Week in the UK, which aims to raise awareness of sexual abuse and

Family lawyer Claire Edgar has been appointed as chair of the Belfast Area Domestic & Sexual Violence and Abuse Partnership's protection and justice working group. The partnership brings together agencies, organisations, groups and individuals who share a common interest and purpose in improving

Government plans to combat domestic, sexual and gender-based violence will next year benefit from a record 22 per cent funding increase worth around €9 million. The Department of Justice launched its five-year "zero tolerance" strategy earlier this summer, containing 144 detailed actions to be

Paid leave will be introduced for victims of domestic violence under legislative plans unveiled by ministers. The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022 will introduce a range of measures to improve family-friendly work practices and support women in the work force.

Northern Ireland’s Court of Appeal has dismissed 10 grounds of appeal following the manslaughter of a three-year-old boy. The court rejected arguments that photos of the crime scene prejudiced the applicant, and noted that the applicant’s past convictions for domestic violence were relev

The new Foyle Family Justice Centre, aimed at supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse, has opened its doors in Derry. Developed by Foyle Women's Aid, the project will provide a range of services to those affected by domestic abuse including crisis intervention, emergency accommodation, ca