Legislation
The Domestic Violence Crime and Victims Act 2004
In 2004 we introduced the Domestic Violence, Crime & Victims Act 2004. The Act received Royal Assent on 15 November 2004 and is the biggest overhaul of legislation on domestic violence in over 30 years and include a number of new powers and amendments to existing legislation, which increase the protection available to civtims when cases are brought to the attention of the CPS. The measures of the Act have been rolling out in stages since March 2005.
On the 1 July 2007 two sections of the Domestic Violence Crime and Victims Act 2004 were introduced.
These measures will make amendments to Part 4 of the Family Law Act 1996 to give better protection to victims of domestic violence and strengthen police powers. Section 1 of the Act will now make the breach of a non-molestation order a criminal offence punishable by up to five years' imprisonment and Section 4 will now make non-cohabitatiing couples elegible for non-molistation and occupation orders.
Implemantation of Section 12 - which will extend the courts powers to impose restraining orders on those who have been convicted or acquitted of any offence, has been propsoned. Discussions regarding Section 12 are ongoing and implementation will only commence once these issues have been resolved.
For further information on the Domestic Violence Crime and Victims Act 2004 see below:
- View our summary of Safety and Justice - The Government's Proposals on Domestic Violence.
- View The Domestic Violence Crime and Victims Act 2004
- Commencement Grid on the Implementation of the DVCV Act 2004:
Last update: Tuesday, July 24, 2007