Domestic Abuse

Reports of domestic abuse have doubled in the past five years, the Garda’s annual policing report shows. There were 7,600 charges brought last year over domestic abuse, an increase of 24 per cent on the 2019 figure.

A new public consultation is seeking views on how the criminal justice system should treat cases of non-fatal strangulation. Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJINI) recommended in June 2019 that the Department of Justice should review how potential inadequacies in current legislation re

Thousands of 999 calls about domestic violence were ignored by gardaí between 2019 and 2020, an ongoing internal investigation has found. Concerns have been raised by domestic abuse charities about the scale of the issue, which first came to light in late 2020.

Northern Ireland's ministers for justice, health, communities, education and finance have published an action plan for year six of the seven-year domestic and sexual abuse strategy as well as a progress report for 2020/21. Year six of the strategy will include the commencement of the Domestic Abuse

Family lawyers are experiencing a substantial increase in enquiries involving allegations of domestic violence and coercive control, comparable to the increase during the first Covid-19 lockdown, Irish Legal News has learned. Domestic violence charity Safe Ireland, which represents 39 front-line org

An online summit bringing together justice agencies, politicians and judges to discuss domestic abuse has placed emphasis on the need for early intervention and rehabilitation. The seminar, hosted by the Probation Board for Northern Ireland, heard from speakers including Justice Minister Naomi Long

A man convicted of coercive control and other offences following the first trial for offences under the Domestic Violence Act 2018 has been jailed for ten-and-a-half years. During a 20-month relationship, Daniel Kane, 52, repeatedly attacked his partner, including burning her foot, cutting her with

Landmark legislation creating a specific offence of domestic abuse will be brought into effect by the end of the year after clearing its final stage in the Northern Ireland Assembly. The Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Bill was originally expected to be signed into law by the end of 2020, but w

Victims of domestic abuse in Northern Ireland will be able to discreetly seek help through pharmacies under a new scheme launched by the UK government. The scheme will initially be available in Boots pharmacies, as well as a number of other independent pharmacies. Participating pharmacies will have

Landmark domestic abuse legislation has moved forward with amended provisions on legal aid after the bill was delayed by a major row over "repercussive financial impacts". MLAs last month approved an amendment brought by Rachel Woods, Green MLA for North Down, in the face of opposition from Justice

Two Newry solicitors are set to undertake a gruelling half-marathon on Christmas morning in support of Women's Aid NI. Ryan Elliott and John Murphy, both from The Elliott-Trainor Partnership Solicitors, will run 13.1 miles on Christmas Day to raise funds for the charity in Armagh and Down.

Domestic homicide reviews (DHRs) have been introduced in Northern Ireland with the appointment of three independent chairs. Justice Minister Naomi Long today named Nina Noddings, Jan Melia and Anne Marks as the independent chairs leading reviews.

Proposals to introduce new domestic abuse protection notices and orders (DAPNs and DAPOs) in Northern Ireland have been set out in a new consultation document. The new mechanisms are being proposed as a replacement for the domestic violence protection notices and orders (DVPNs and DVPOs) which were

The High Court has affirmed a Circuit Court order, with varied maintenance obligations, and granted a barring order under the Domestic Violence Act 2018. Background

Proposals to provide victims of domestic abuse with greater access to legal aid in family law cases have been approved by the Northern Ireland Assembly. MLAs debating the Domestic Abuse and Family Proceedings Bill agreed to back an amendment brought by Rachel Woods, Green MLA for North Down, in the