Domestic Violence: Bail Conditions

22 Apr

Question

The Question session focused on evaluating bail conditions in domestic violence cases, specifically assessing their adequacy in protecting victims. The overarching goal, as stated, is the government's commitment to halving violence against women and girls within ten years. Several mechanisms - electronic monitoring, exclusion zones, non-contact orders, and potential remand to prison - were highlighted as protective measures under current policies.

50%

Government commitment to reducing violence against women and girls over a decade.

Ellie Chowns, representing the Green Party, expressed concerns from a constituency perspective about the effectiveness and enforcement of these bail conditions, emphasizing the urgency due to prosecution time limits.

2 years

Extended time limit for applying prosecution regulations initiated in 2022.

Alex Davies-Jones affirmed ongoing initiatives, such as domestic abuse protection orders, indicating the government’s proactive stance in specific areas while welcoming further discussions to enhance protection for victims.

6 months

Existing limitation period for prosecutions leading to some cases being timed out.

Outcome

A commitment to enhance collaboration between governmental departments was reiterated, particularly focusing on housing needs related to domestic violence victims. The session concluded with potential follow-ups and meetings to address individual cases, highlighting a collaborative outlook towards policy improvement.

Key Contributions

Ellie ChownsMP

Green

Questioned the adequacy of bail conditions and highlighted issues like poor enforcement and prosecution time limits.

Alex Davies-JonesMP

Not Provided

Acknowledged the gaps in current policies and referred to new domestic abuse protection orders being rolled out in selected areas to strengthen victim protection.

Chris VinceMP

Labour

Highlighted the critical issue of housing as a barrier for domestic violence victims in leaving their familial homes.

Original Transcript

Ellie Chowns

North Herefordshire

Green

Question

UIN: 903763

7. What recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of policies applying to bail conditions in domestic violence cases.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice

Alex Davies-Jones

14:55

This Government have committed to halving violence against women and girls in a decade. A broad range of bail conditions can be imposed to protect victims, including electronic monitoring for those who meet the remand threshold, exclusion zones and non-contact orders.

Suspects can also be remanded in prison.

Ellie Chowns

14:55

I raise this issue following a meeting with a constituent whose case raises deep concerns that are more widely relevant. First, bail conditions—sometimes weak, sometimes poorly enforced—do not always protect victims of domestic violence from further harassment by their abuser.

Secondly, despite the increase in the time limit to two years under the 2022 regulations, the six-month limit for prosecutions means that some cases time out.

Will the Minister meet me and my constituent to discuss what more can be done to ensure that victims of domestic abuse are fully protected from their abusers?

Alex Davies-Jones

14:55

I thank the hon. Member for raising this important issue from her constituency. We know that more needs to be done in this area, and that is why this Government have started to roll out our domestic abuse protection orders to help victims of domestic abuse in selected areas.

We are seeing how that goes. We are developing policy in this area to protect victims, and women and girls in particular. I would be more than happy to meet her to discuss what more we can do.

Chris Vince

Harlow

Lab/Co-op

14:55

Having spoken to Essex police and other professionals, and having worked for a homeless charity myself, I know that often the hardest part for victims of domestic violence is making the decision to leave what is sometimes the family home.

What work has the Minister done with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to address this issue?

Alex Davies-Jones

I thank my hon. Friend for raising this important issue. Tackling violence against women and girls is not just a Ministry of Justice problem to fix, but a problem for every Government Department to fix.

That is why I have met with my counterparts across the Departments, including in MHCLG, to discuss housing needs. We will be publishing our violence against women and girls strategy later this year, and I look forward to discussing it with him in due course.

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