February 2023
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This conference examined the next steps for tackling domestic abuse in England and Wales.
It was a timely opportunity for policymakers and stakeholders to discuss the implementation of the government’s Tackling Domestic Abuse Plan, in light of recent statistics showing continued rises in abuse-related crimes, along with falling prosecution and conviction rates.
Delegates assessed:
- the role of public services, schools, hospitals and employers in identifying and preventing domestic abuse - including reducing barriers between services and contact points through information sharing
- improving understanding of abusive behaviours and drivers - how this can contribute to more effective offender management and prevention strategies, such as the proposed domestic abuser register
- supporting victims of abuse and the priorities for resource allocation, joint-planning and information sharing as councils, PCCs, health services and charities plan for and commission victims’ services
- proposed statutory duties and principles in the draft Victims’ Bill
- the criminal justice and legal response to domestic abuse:
- what is needed to improve understanding of falling prosecution and conviction rates
- the effectiveness of recent reforms to domestic common assault time limits in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act
- options for further reform across police investigation, evidence gathering and victim support
We are pleased to have been able to include keynote sessions with Kate Brown, Domestic Abuse Lead, Crown Prosecution Service; and Toby Williams, Policy Manager, Strategy & Implementation Hub, Interpersonal Abuse Unit, Home Office. The chairs are Baroness Bertin, Vice Chair, All-Party Parliamentary Group on Domestic Violence and Abuse, who was a member of the Joint Committee scrutinising the Draft Domestic Abuse Bill; and Baroness Uddin, Officer, All-Party Parliamentary Group on Domestic Violence and Abuse.
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who attended from the Home Office; DWP; DVSA; the House of Commons Library; The Scottish Government; and the Welsh Government.
