Perpetrators barred from cross examining survivors in court

New measures are now in force which bar perpetrators of domestic abuse from cross-examining their victims in family and civil courts. 

This follows concerns that those perpetrating domestic abuse were continuing their abuse via the court system, and that survivors were being retraumatised in court. 

Rather than being cross-examined by their abuser, legal professionals can now conduct cross examination in domestic abuse cases. Other special measures to better protect domestic abuse survivors include screens and separate entrances. 

The new measures came into force on 21 July 2022 as part of the landmark Domestic Abuse Act. Other recent measures which form part of the act include the non-fatal strangulation offence, meaning that abusers who strangle their partner in an attempt to control or induce fear will face up to five years in jail. 

Find out more here.