Bolton MP Chris Green has welcomed new landmark legislation that will provide a raft of new protections for domestic abuse victims.
The draft Domestic Abuse Bill, which will now be subject to pre-legislative scrutiny, will provide for a legal definition of domestic abuse that will include economic abuse – where a victim is forced to financially rely on the perpetrator - for the first time.
The bill will also provide for a new Domestic Abuse Protection Notice and Domestic Abuse Protection Order, prevent perpetrators of abuse from cross-examining their victims in family courts and a series of other measures to protect and support domestic abuse victims.
Mr Green, who ran last year’s London Marathon for Bolton domestic abuse charity Fortalice, has hailed the changes as a landmark.
Mr Green said: “Domestic abuse is a terribly cruel crime that can affect anyone, leaving victims with both physical and emotional scars that can last a lifetime.
“This is why the proposed changes in the Domestic Abuse Bill are so important, to offer victims of such crimes extra protection and support, whilst also transforming the justice processes in place to deal with such crimes.
“These new measures also place a greater focus on both the prevention of and the protection from domestic abuse which, alongside raising awareness, will make a real and lasting difference.”
For more details of the changes proposed in the draft bill, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/draft-domestic-abuse-bill-overarching-documents
