Domestic abuse victims given longer to report crimes
Victims of domestic abuse will be allowed more time to report incidents of common assault or battery against them under amendments added to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.
Currently, prosecutions must commence within six months of the offence but under the changes, this requirement will be moved to six months from the date [...]
Domestic abuse crimes continue to rise
The number of domestic abuse related crimes continues to rise, Office for National Statistics figures have shown.
The number of police recorded domestic abuse-related crimes in England and Wales increased by 6% in the year ending March 2021 to 845,734, continuing the trend of increases seen in previous years.
ONS states that the increase may reflect [...]
Schools dealing with social work issues during COVID pandemic
Schools were forced to step in to support vulnerable families during the COVID-19 pandemic for many issues that were previously dealt with by social workers, research has found.
Schools found themselves helping vulnerable families with problems such as mental health problems, domestic abuse and poverty during the pandemic as more families were turning to schools [...]
Police praised for response to domestic abuse in lockdown but Refuge raises concerns over fewer charges
The police have been praised by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services for responding proactively to prevent domestic abuse and protect victims during the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID and subsequent lockdowns had placed domestic abuse victims at great risk, the HMICFRS said, but praised police forces for working proactively with partners to [...]
Domestic abuse in Scotland rises
Domestic abuse increased in Scotland in 2019-20 in comparison to the previous year, official statistics have shown.
Police recorded 62,907 incidents of domestic abuse in 2019-20, an increase of 4% compared to the previous year, representing the fourth consecutive year of increases in domestic abuse incidents.
Common assault was the most frequently recorded crime or offence [...]
How social workers became the 5th emergency service during lockdown
Interview with our experienced and highly respected Independent Social Worker Mary Cullen on social workers going above and beyond for vulnerable families during the COVID-19 pandemic
Social workers have shown immense resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic and had little choice but to place any health anxieties to one side, don their protective [...]
