In response to government publishing the draft domestic abuse bill, Resolution National Chair Margaret Heathcote said:
“Resolution, along with other organisations, has been calling for a ban on cross-examination of domestic abuse survivors by the alleged perpetrators of the abuse for some time. We welcome this legislation, which was originally proposed nearly two years ago, and is long overdue.
Legislation is only part of the solution however, and Resolution would like to see many of the measures already commonplace to protect vulnerable people in the criminal courts – such as privacy screens, separate waiting areas, and the ability to give evidence by video link – implemented in family courts.
This Bill is an important first step and, these measures having been so long delayed, it is vital that its passage through Parliament is not needlessly delayed by other events, and becomes law as soon as possible in order to protect some of the most vulnerable members of society.”
