Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Bill (HL) : explanatory notes

Domestic violence accounts for a quarter of all recorded violent crime in England and Wales.

The Government's consultation paper 'Safety and justice' (Cm 5847, ISBN 0101584725) published in June 2003, contained proposals designed to improve legal and other protections available to victims of domestic violence.

This Bill is in three parts and applies generally to England and Wales (with some clauses applicable to Northern Ireland and others throughout the UK).

It contains provisions to introduce civil and criminal law reforms in these areas by criminalising the breach of non-molestation orders under the Family Law Act 1996, extending the availability of restraining orders under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, and making common assault an arrestable offence.

It also seeks to introduce a new offence of causing or allowing a death of a child or vulnerable adult.

Procedural measures set out circumstances in which a Crown Court judge may hear part of a trial on indictment without a jury.

It also contains provisions to establish a code of practice regarding service provision to victims and witnesses of crime, the creation of a Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses, and statutory payments of grants to bodies which assist victims and witnesses.