This year, there will be some significant changes to the domestic abuse laws.
The intention of these updates is to protect the victim and to ensure that offenders are more appropriately dealt with.
Domestic violence solicitors in North Wales can advise on the impact of these amendments, such as those made to the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024. Generally speaking, the majority of the laws dealing with domestic abuse matters has been focused on physical violence. Although this has provided vital protections for victims, it was felt that more emphasis was needed on coercive control.
Recent changes now mean that this particular type of abuse will be classified in the same category as direct violence.
Another major update to the law will be how those who are sentenced to 12 months in prison or longer for coercive control will be managed upon release. These types of offenders will be managed under the provisions of MAPPA, which stands for Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements.
Although solicitors in Porthmadog and beyond welcome these upcoming changes, they do acknowledge the complications that may arise as a result. These could include the potential for convictions based upon low levels of evidence and only one side of the issue being listened to in court. Coercive control has always been difficult to prove, and these new rulings may make it harder to defend.
Talk to us today at Bennett Smith Solicitors and request our time to talk to you about domestic abuse issues and solutions.
