States Unanimously Passes Groundbreaking Domestic Abuse Legislation
Legislation introduces new offences and updates, including a specific offence for domestic abuse.
- New Domestic Abuse Law approved unanimously by the States Assembly.
- Legislation introduces new offences and updates, including a specific offence for domestic abuse.
- Modelled after legislation from Scotland and the Isle of Man, focusing on protecting victims and reducing repeat offences.
- Key changes feature a broad definition of domestic abuse, offences for child cruelty, and protection orders with criminal consequences for breaches.
- The law aims to modernise domestic and sexual offences legislation, with training for enforcement and support agencies ahead of its implementation.
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The States has taken a significant step forward in modernising its approach to domestic abuse with the unanimous approval of a new Domestic Abuse Law by the Assembly.
This landmark legislation introduces comprehensive changes and new offences aimed at providing robust protection and justice for victims of domestic abuse, a move that has been widely welcomed by law enforcement, supporting services, and the community at large.
Home Affairs President Deputy Rob Prow expressed great satisfaction with the new law's approval, emphasising the hard work and collaboration with third sector partners such as Safer and Victim and Witness Support.
"It is vital that the Law contains the right protections for victims of these unacceptable types of offences, and it is equally as important that the authorities responsible have the tools to do so effectively."
Deputy Sue Aldwell, leading on Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault for the Committee, emphasised the victim-centric approach in drafting this legislation.
Among the notable changes introduced by the new law are the creation of a specific offence for domestic abuse when the abuser and the abused are personally connected, a new offence of child cruelty that encompasses non-physical forms of cruelty, and a new offence for causing or allowing death or serious harm in the household.
The legislation also introduces domestic abuse protection notices and orders, enabling law enforcement to take immediate action to protect victims from further risk of abuse and imposing criminal offences for breaches of these orders.
This legislation follows models from Scottish and Isle of Man laws, integrating lessons from these regions to reflect the psychological and physical harm experienced by victims over time more accurately.
It aims to reduce repeat offending, ensuring offenders are properly dealt with while providing the proper tools for handling complex and delicate cases.
As the legislation awaits Royal Assent to become active, training is being developed for law enforcement, the judiciary, and support services.
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