Domestic Violence

New domestic abuse legislation introduced to Northern Ireland Assembly

New domestic abuse legislation introduced to Northern Ireland Assembly

9th April 2020

By Lenore Rice The Domestic Abuse and Family Proceedings Bill 2020 was introduced to the Northern Ireland Assembly on Tuesday 31st March, aimed at bringing the laws here into line with... Read more

Sharp rise in calls to Domestic abuse helpline during Coronavirus lockdown

7th April 2020

By Lenore Rice There has been a 25 per cent increase in the number of calls and online requests made to the National Domestic Abuse helpline according to the charity Refuge. There... Read more

Domestic Violence legal assistance during the Coronavirus crisis

2nd April 2020

During the current crisis, there are concerns that there will be significant increase in incidents concerning domestic violence. This is due to people spending more time at home or in... Read more

PSNI launch annual Christmas Domestic Abuse Campaign

9th December 2019

By Lenore Rice The PSNI launched their annual Christmas Domestic Abuse campaign with the news that they received 400 domestic abuse complaints across just 3 of the main days of the... Read more

Domestic violence crimes reach another record high in Northern Ireland

14th October 2019

By Lenore Rice The number of domestic abuse crimes in Northern Ireland reached their highest 12 month total since records began. There were 16,575 domestic violence crimes recorded between July 2018 and... Read more

Domestic violence-related homicides in UK at 5 year high

13th September 2019

By Lenore Rice There were 173 deaths as a result of domestic violence in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK last year, a significant jump up from the 141... Read more

Number of Domestic Abuse Cases in Northern Ireland at Record High

4th July 2019

By Lenore Rice New statistics published by the Police Service of Northern Ireland reveal that the number of domestic abuse incidents in Northern Ireland are now at a record high. The statistics,... Read more

Criticism of delays on new domestic abuse legislation in Northern Ireland

19th June 2019

By Lenore Rice In 2017/18 the number of domestic abuse incidents recorded by the Police Service of Northern Ireland amounted to one every 17 minutes, a record high. These statistics illustrate... Read more

Survivors of domestic abuse at risk of serious mental health problems

7th June 2019

By Lenore Rice New research, undertaken and published by Birmingham University, indicates that women who experience domestic abuse are three times more likely to develop a mental health problem. A new study... Read more

Falconer regrets vilifying legal aid solicitors to curb expenditure

3rd June 2019

By Lenore Rice Lord Falconer, the Lord Chancellor from 2003 to 2007, has admitted his regret over the campaign to curtail the legal aid budget which led to widespread condemnation of... Read more

Cuts to legal aid risking quality of decisions in domestic abuse cases

16th May 2019

By Lenore Rice The former head of family courts in England and Wales, Sir James Munby, has said that cuts to legal aid had led to more people representing themselves, and... Read more

Police to inspect mobile phones of victims of crime in England and Wales

29th April 2019

Police in England and Wales can now ask for victims of crime to give them permission to inspect emails, messages, photographs and other information on their mobile phones. The victims of... Read more

PSNI officer says legislation needed to tackle domestic abuse

3rd April 2019

By Lenore Rice Supt Clive Beatty, a senior PSNI officer, has said that legislation to tackle psychological and emotional abuse, such as that introduced in England and Wales, is needed to... Read more

Domestic abuse levels at record high in Northern Ireland

2nd April 2019

By Lenore Rice The number of incidents of domestic abuse reported to the PSNI in 2018 was the highest since records began 15 years ago, and experts say there is still... Read more

Domestic Violence and Abuse Disclosure Scheme explained

10th April 2018

By Lenore Rice The PSNI responded to 29,676 incidents of domestic abuse in Northern Ireland in 2017, the highest amount in 13 years. Of those incidents 12,803 contained one or more... Read more

NI judge calls for longer jail terms for domestic violence cases

22nd February 2018

By Lenore Rice   A Northern Ireland judge has highlighted the need for longer jail sentences for domestic violence in a case in which he gave a man an 8 month jail... Read more

PSNI launch summer domestic abuse campaign

11th July 2017

By Lenore Rice PSNI are urging victims of domestic abuse in Northern Ireland to make a report to the police, as they prepare for another summer period of increased incidents of... Read more

Man who beat wife with cricket bat misled the court

10th April 2017

By Lenore Rice A man who beat his wife with a cricket bat and forced her to drink bleach has now been sentenced to 18 months in prison, after originally receiving... Read more

Criticism of judge's comments on vulnerability in domestic abuse case

28th March 2017

By Lenore Rice A judge has commented that a woman who was made to swallow bleach and pills and beaten with a cricket bat by her husband was not vulnerable, because... Read more

Male victims of domestic abuse fear counter-accusations and arrest

19th January 2016

By Lenore Rice A new study suggests that male victims of domestic abuse are not making reports to the police because their vpartners have threatened to counter-accuse them of violence. Senior lecturer... Read more

Reports of increase in domestic abuse incidents in NI over Christmas

30th December 2015

By Lenore Rice There are concerns that domestic abuse in Northern Ireland increased significantly over Christmas after one policing area dealt with 20 incidents of domestic-related violence over a 4 day... Read more

PSNI dealt with domestic violence call every 20mins in Christmas 2014

22nd December 2015

By Lenore Rice Police were contacted in respect of an incident of domestic violence in Northern Ireland every 20 minutes during Christmas day last year. In Northern Ireland and the rest of... Read more

Research reveals extent of domestic abuse problem in Northern Ireland

8th September 2015

By Lenore Rice New research has revealed that there have been 67 deaths in Northern Ireland as a result of domestic abuse in the last 10 years, representing a quarter of... Read more

Landmark NI court warning on domestic violence statement withdrawals

28th July 2015

By Lenore Rice A Northern Ireland judge has issued a stark warning to domestic violence "bullies", saying that the withdrawal of a statement from a victim will no longer automatically mean... Read more

Legal aid cuts could result in unsafe child contact arrangements

8th June 2015

By Lenore Rice A new study looking at contact applications lodged by parents after a divorce or separation raises concerns that legal aid cuts have removed the option of going to... Read more

One in three victims of domestic abuse can't get legal aid

12th March 2015

By Lenore Rice The Justice Select Committee say that legal aid changes in England and Wales are preventing a third of domestic abuse victims getting access to a solicitor because they... Read more

Report shows domestic violence victims could be helped quicker

25th February 2015

By Lenore Rice A new report suggests that victims of domestic abuse on average suffer at the hands of their aggressor for 2.7 years before they receive effective help. The research from... Read more

Fifty Shades of Grey criticised for 'glamorising' domestic violence

10th February 2015

By Lenore Rice The book trilogy 'Fifty Shades of Grey' was an unlikely mainstream success with readers across the world, and the movie adaptation being released on Valentine's days is expected... Read more

Call for domestic violence inquiry after two women murdered

6th February 2015

By Lenore Rice Stacy Banner is calling for a public inquiry into the state's response to domestic violence after her sister and murder were killed by a man who she had... Read more

Divorce Day - it has nothing to do with Christmas

5th January 2015

By Lenore Rice For several years now, the first Monday of the new year has become known as 'divorce day' in legal circles, as most family law solicitors see a spike... Read more

110 domestic abuse incidents in Northern Ireland every day

8th December 2014

By Lenore Rice Over the past year there has been an average of 110 domestic abuse incidents and crimes reported to the police in Northern Ireland each day, but with a... Read more

Lack of support for children who witness domestic violence

20th October 2014

By Lenore Rice It is estimated that 25 per cent of children in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK will witness domestic violence before they reach the age of... Read more

New NSPCC office in Belfast to tackle under-reporting

14th October 2014

By Lenore Rice The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) is opening a call centre in Belfast, which it hopes will help deal with a problem with... Read more

Report on Parry murder raises domestic abuse questions

29th September 2014

By Lenore Rice The response by police to domestic abuse calls by Caroline Parry, who was murdered by her estranged husband, has been criticised in a new report into her death. Caroline... Read more

70 domestic abuse calls to PSNI every day

19th September 2014

By Lenore Rice Police in Northern Ireland are receiving 70 calls relating to domestic abuse incidents every day, and while that number in itself is cause for concern, a senior judge... Read more

One domestic abuse incident every 19 mins in NI

16th May 2014

By Lenore Rice Domestic abuse levels in Northern Ireland are increasing according to new statistics which reveal that there were 27,000 domestic abuse incidents reported to the police in 2013. The figures... Read more

Report criticises police approach to domestic abuse

31st March 2014

By Lenore Rice A new report by the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary has criticised the response of police forces to claims by domestic abuse victims. The report looked at 43 police forces... Read more

Survey reveals extent of domestic violence in Europe

6th March 2014

By Lenore Rice A survey of 42,000 women in Europe has revealed that one in three women have experienced physical or sexual violence since the age of 15, and Northern Ireland... Read more

Domestic violence victims at risk of losing children says charity

20th January 2014

By Lenore Rice The Family Rights Group has carried out new research that suggests and increase in the number of domestic violence victims at risk of losing their children as a... Read more

Clare's Law to be rolled out across England and Wales

25th November 2013

By Lenore Rice A scheme which allows people to check if their partners have any history of domestic violence is to be rolled out across all of England and Wales, after... Read more

Northern Ireland woman jailed for false rape claim

25th November 2013

By Gary Adair A Northern Ireland woman has received a three month jail sentence for making a false claim of rape against her ex-boyfriend after he split up with her via... Read more

PSNI criticised for handling of domestic violence

29th October 2013

By Lenore Rice The Police Service of Northern Ireland has come under criticism for failing to implement improvements on how they deal with domestic violence three years after they were agreed... Read more

PSNI handling 60 domestic violence call outs a day

15th October 2013

By Lenore Rice The Belfast Telegraph has revealed that the police in Northern Ireland are having to respond to 60 call-outs a day in connection with domestic violence. There were 27,000 cases... Read more

MP found guilty of multiple domestic abuse charges

22nd August 2013

By Lenore Rice Scottish MP Bill Walker has been found guilty of 23 charges of assault in respect of incidents of domestic abuse involving 3 former wives and a step-daughter. The charges... Read more

Domestic abusers to be denied firearms licences

31st July 2013

The Police in England and Wales have been advised that a person's suitability to hold a firearms licence needs to be reviewed after an incident of domestic violence. The new guidance... Read more

Lawson-Saatchi divorce granted in under a minute

31st July 2013

Nigella Lawson and Charles Saatchi were granted a divorce today at the London High Count in under a minute. The couple were married in 2003 but their 10 year marriage ended... Read more

Lawson-Sattchi quick divorce scheduled for tomorrow

30th July 2013

The divorce of celebrity couple Nigella Lawson and Charles Saatchi is due to take place at 10.30am tomorrow morning, with proceedings expected to be very quick. The couple are said to... Read more

No financial claims in Lawson-Saatchi divorce

17th July 2013

Celebrity couple Nigella Lawson and Charles Saatchi will not be making any financial claims on each other during their divorce according to a statement released by the pair. The statement confirmed... Read more

'Domestic violence was just a playful tiff'

17th June 2013

Pictures of art collector Charles Saatchi grasping the neck of his wife, TV chef Nigella Lawson, outside a restaurant caused outrage among campaigners against domestic violence, and they reacted even... Read more

Facebook fall-out over domestic violence images

28th May 2013

Facebook has come under fire for refusing to remove images that activists say glorify rape and domestic violence. Facebook did take action in respect of some of the images brought to... Read more

False allegations of domestic violence are rare

15th March 2013

A new report by the Crown Prosecution Service is hoped to dispel some of the myths around how many false allegations of rape and domestic violence are made each year. The... Read more

Figures show increase in domestic violence

12th March 2013

New figures released by the Citizens Advice Bureaux indicate an 11 per cent increase in the number of people advising that they have suffered domestic violence. In the last three months... Read more

Domestic abuse of parents by children increasing

1st March 2013

Until recent years, domestic abuse was considered a problem that involved a wife being mistreated by her husband. Over the past years there has been an increase in the recorded... Read more

2 million victims of domestic abuse in 12 months

11th February 2013

There were 2 million cases of domestic abuse over the last 12 months according to a new report entitled 'Focus on Violent Crime and Sexual Offences 2011/12', and published by... Read more

PSNI campaign targets domestic abuse

20th December 2012

Along with many positive traditions over the holiday period, there is unfortunately a growing annual trend of an increase in incidents of domestic violence in Northern Ireland and the rest... Read more

264 domestic violence arrests in 1 week

3rd December 2012

An operation carried out by the Metropolitan Police has resulted in 264 arrests on charges of domestic violence in just one week. The operation began on 26th November in support of... Read more

Accused walks free because of incorrect trial time

1st November 2012

A man accused of an act of domestic violence which left his then-partner heavily bruised has walked free from court without any hearing because the CPS told the victim the... Read more

Case update - celebrity guilty of harassment

10th October 2012

Celebrity comic Justin Lee Collins has been found guilty of harassing his ex-girlfriend Anna Larke, and has been sentenced to carry out 140 hours of unpaid work within the next... Read more

Celebrity comic accused of harassment

27th September 2012

An harassment case involving celebrity comic Justin Lee Collins deals with issues covered under the new expanded definition of what constitutes domestic abuse, though that definition will not be employed... Read more

Definition of 'domestic abuse' to be expanded

18th September 2012

The definition of 'domestic abuse' is to be extended to include threatening or "coercive" behaviour with effect from March 2013, meaning new classes of behaviour will be categorised as domestic... Read more

Domestic abuse pilot scheme extended

11th September 2012

A new domestic abuse scheme already being piloted in Wiltshire and Gwent since mid-July is being extended to Greater Manchester and Nottinghamshire.Under the scheme people can find out if their... Read more

Belfast man jailed for domestic violence

27th July 2012

Belfast resident Jalal Uddin has been given a prison sentence for domestic violence against his former partner despite her pleas to the court for leniency Mr Uddin is said to have... Read more

Increase in domestic abuse convictions

23rd July 2012

New figures from The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) reveal an increase in the number of prosecutions and convictions in England and Wales for crimes involving violence against girls and women. In... Read more

Increase in Domestic violence cases at Christmas

21st December 2011

The PSNI have re-launched their domestic abuse campaign which aims to encourage victims of domestic violence in Northern Ireland to report incidents to the police. The police advise that domestic abuse... Read more

Police handling of domestic abuse case criticised

18th October 2011

The murder of 21 year old mother Casey Brittle by a former partner has highlighted a serious issue about how police handle domestic abuse cases. Ms Brittle had called Nottinghamshire Police... Read more

Domestic violence suspects face ban from home

25th November 2010

A year-long pilot scheme is to start next summer in the Greater Manchester, Wiltshire and West Mercia police areas, that will give the police new powers to ban people suspected... Read more

2 in 5 domestic violence victims are male

6th September 2010

Campaign group Parity have carried out analysis of statistics on domestic violence that has revealed that more than 40% of victims are male; significantly different than the general perception of... Read more

Increase in domestic violence linked to England World Cup exit

2nd July 2010

Before the 2010 World Cup in South Africa began police were already preparing for an increase in cases of domestic violence; the link between large sporting events and violence in... Read more

Home Office campaign set to focus on teenage abuse

18th February 2010

The Home Office is aiming to educate young people about some of the problems relating to abusive relationships through a new awareness campaign.Among the tools being used to highlight this... Read more

Solicitor assures no legal aid problem in Northern Ireland

3rd December 2009

Lenore Rice of Wilson Nesbitt solicitors in Belfast, Northern Ireland, confirmed that there "is no legal aid resources problem in Northern Ireland" like that being faced in England and Wales. Clients... Read more

Govt domestic violence strategy 'a positive development'

27th November 2009

A new government strategy, which seeks to address the problems of domestic and sexual violence, has been welcomed by one female organisation.Ministers recently announced that the initiative, which has entitled... Read more

Govt Bill outlines domestic violence proposals

23rd November 2009

New plans to address domestic violence issues in the UK have been unveiled by the government.The Crime and Security Bill outlines a number of measures which are designed to raise... Read more

Rural domestic violence victims 'must continue to receive support'

5th November 2009

Women living in rural areas of Northern Ireland must continue to be supported by the country's executive and other organisations if they suffer from domestic violence, it has been claimed.The... Read more

NI minister aiming to raise domestic violence awareness

29th September 2009

Awareness of domestic violence in Northern Ireland must continue to be raised, according to one political figure.Caitriona Ruane, the country's education minister, believes it is vital attitudes to violence committed... Read more

Wife accused of stabbing husband

13th March 2009

In news that may be of interest to solicitors in Belfast dealing with divorce and family law, a woman has been accused of calmly knifing her husband and handing him... Read more

Domestic violence victims get chance to speak out

17th October 2008

A public meeting is to be held to discuss domestic violence in Northern Ireland, it has been reported.The Coleraine District Policing Partnership (DPP) is to hold a meeting at the... Read more

Charity launches anti-domestic violence campaign

6th August 2008

Anti-domestic abuse charity Refuge has launched a campaign intended to warn people about the early warning signs of domestic abuse.Research from Refuge has shown 87 per cent of women were... Read more

Abusive-partner killers 'not murderers'

5th August 2008

People who are driven to killing their abusive partners are not the same as murderers, according to a domestic violence victim writing in the Belfast Telegraph.Nicola Henry told the newspaper... Read more

Divorce 'leads to happier lives'

4th August 2008

Increased divorce rates do not mean a weakening of the family unit, but actually prevent the "huge human misery" created by social taboos in the past, a commentator has said.... Read more

Mothers calling for more family justice centres

29th July 2008

The mothers of three women who were killed by violent ex-partners are calling for the establishment of more family justice centres around Britain and Northern Ireland.Tricia Bernal claimed that her... Read more

Legal changes ahead for domestic violence defence

23rd July 2008

The government has announced that the law governing women who kill their partners following periods of domestic violence is to change.Under legal changes, the defences for those women who are... Read more

War 'causing divorce and domestic abuse'

22nd July 2008

Long deployments in war zones are causing disputes between partners and provoking domestic violence in the US, it has been claimed.According to divorce lawyers in the country, the phenomenon, which... Read more

Domestic violence conference to be held

17th July 2008

Worldwide experts on domestic violence are to come to a conference at Europe's first Family Justice Centre in Croydon.The conference will take place on July 24th and 25th and will... Read more

Female domestic violence victims 'should not be jailed'

18th June 2008

Prisons are not designed for women, who have mainly committed non-violent crimes, and who have often suffered domestic violence or sexual abuse, a group of charities has claimed.The group of... Read more

MPs recommend education on domestic violence

13th June 2008

The all-party home affairs select committee has recommended that children in both primary and secondary school be taught about domestic violence and forced marriage.According to their report, the committee said... Read more

Officers 'to focus on domestic violence'

5th June 2008

Police officers in the Antrim area of Northern Ireland have revealed that one of their main priorities for the year will be cutting domestic violence, the Antrim Times reports.According to... Read more

UK 'divorce fair' for splitting couples

5th June 2008

Couples from all over the UK, including Northern Ireland, who plan to divorce are being invited to the country's first 'divorce fair'.Solicitors, counsellors and financial advisors will all be on... Read more

'Increased confidence' for Northern Ireland's domestic violence sufferers

27th May 2008

Domestic abuse sufferers in Northern Ireland are increasing in confidence and becoming more willing to come forward to the police, it has been claimed.Police domestic violence specialist Angela McBride told... Read more

Domestic violence in Northern Ireland 'endemic'

23rd May 2008

Northern Ireland faces an 'endemic' problem with domestic violence, it has been claimed.The Police Service of Northern Ireland has launched a campaign against the issue, after officers attended 6,400 cases... Read more

New anti-domestic violence campaign in Northern Ireland

7th May 2008

A councillor in Buncrana has launched a campaign in a bid to wipe out domestic violence in the area, according to the Derry Journal.Darren Lalor has launched a postcard campaign... Read more

Police in Antrim offering support to victims of domestic violence

29th April 2008

The police force in County Antrim is offering support to male and female victims of domestic violence, reports the Antrim Times.According to the paper, domestic violence officer for the Antrim... Read more

Domestic violence 'increased by smoking ban'

22nd April 2008

The smoking ban and cheap alcohol in supermarkets could be fuelling domestic violence, according to a British police chief.Chief Superintendent Peter White claims that the cheap price of alcohol in... Read more

Domestic violence laws 'have backfired'

15th April 2008

New laws governing punishments for domestic violence could have meant a reduction in the number of people reporting the crime, the Ministry of Justice has said.The new legislation has meant... Read more

Alcohol research hoped to fight domestic violence

8th April 2008

A new study examining the link between the abuse of alcohol and domestic violence is about to begin, reports the Northern Echo.Chief executive of the North-East Regional Alcohol Forum told... Read more

Domestic violence means 100 women and children in need of solicitors in NI

18th March 2008

Over 100 women and children need help from solicitors in Northern Ireland, according to Amnesty International.The group has published a report called No Recourse, No Safety which says the government... Read more

Domestic violence 'not being tackled'

4th March 2008

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland are seeing no let-up in cases of domestic violence in the province and now the government has been criticised for failing to protect females.While... Read more

Affairs account for half of NI divorces

3rd January 2008

Affairs are the cause of half of all divorces that solicitors in Northern Ireland deal with, a higher proportion than in the rest of the UK.While only 27 per cent... Read more

Domestic violence packs a bigger punch

31st December 2007

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland have to deal with more cases of domestic violence than ever - and the problem is becoming so large that increasing numbers of women... Read more

NI pilots panic rooms

27th December 2007

Solicitors in Northern Ireland may see many cases of domestic violence averted as the province is to trial the use of 'panic rooms'.As shown in the film of the same... Read more

Domestic violence campaign hits NI streets

25th July 2007

More victims of domestic violence in Northern Ireland may be persuaded to visit their solicitors ad make their case known as a new campaign has just been launched by the... Read more

Daily Mail libel battle begins

22nd May 2007

Journalist Rebecca Hardy appears to be in hot water as former TV executive Mike Hollingsworth's High Court libel case kicks off against the Daily Mail after Ms Hardy alleged that... Read more

NI women 'still waiting' for equality

3rd May 2007

Despite over 30 years of laws banning gender discrimination, solicitors in Northern Ireland will still encounter many cases where women have not been treated fairly, according to the University of... Read more

Government to stamp out domestic violence

19th April 2007

The government has announced the launch of a department targeted specifically at dealing with the issue of domestic violence. Tanaiste Michael McDowell said that the Irish Office for the Prevention... Read more

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