Support

What are my legal rights?

Domestic abuse is a crime and there are several specific offences that can be considered by prosecutors, including:

Controlling or Coercive behaviour
Disclosing, or threatening to disclose, Private Sexual Photographs and Films without Consent
Offences Against the Person
Rape and Sexual Offences
Stalking and Harassment
Social Media Communication
So-Called Honour-Based Abuse and Forced Marriage
Child Abuse (non-sexual)
Offensive Weapons, Knives, Bladed and Pointed Articles
Non-fatal strangulation and non-fatal suffocation
Breach of a restraining order, breach of a non-molestation order and breach of a stalking protection order.
Modern Slavery, Human Trafficking and Smuggling
Female Genital Mutilation legal

More information can be found on the Criminal Prosecution Service website https://www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/domestic-abuse

What is the Police response?

The Police take cases of domestic abuse seriously and receive training on how to deal sensitively and proactively with both victims and perpetrators.

Officers attending a domestic abuse incident will complete a risk assessment form and will offer advice on places and ways to seek support.

In 2014 the Government introduced Domestic Violence Protection Notices (DVPN) and Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPO). A DVPN is issued by the police to protect victims from further violence or threats.

If the perpetrator does not adhere to the DVPN, a DVPO can be granted by a magistrate that can ban the perpetrator with immediate effect from returning to a residence and from having contact with the victim for up to 28 days, allowing the victim time to consider their options and get the support they need.

Clare’s Law

The Home Office domestic violence disclosure scheme, is named after Clare Wood who was murdered in 2009 by her ex-boyfriend, who had a history of violence against women.

Under the scheme, members of the public can make enquiries about their partner’s past, or as a third party who is concerned about someone they know who might be at risk of harm.

If you are applying as a third party, you must have some form of relationship with the potential victim such as sister, mother, friend, work colleague or neighbour. You must be able to supply details of the person who is potentially at risk of harm. You can make an application for disclosure by speaking to a police officer, calling 101, or visiting a police station.

After being approached by an individual, both the applicant’s and potential victim’s details must be recorded. No disclosure is to be given over the phone or in person at this stage. An appointment will then be made with a uniformed officer who will confirm the potential victim’s identity. This should take place within 10 days.

https://www.cambs.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/daa/domestic-abuse/alpha2/request-information-under-clares-law/

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough support services

DASS (Domestic Abuse Outreach Service) provide outreach support to victims and survivors of any gender or sexual orientation Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

DASS can be contacted on 0300 373 1073 (Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm)

There are four women’s refuges in Cambridgeshire for victims of high risk domestic abuse, provided by Cambridge Women’s Aid, Refuge and Peterborough Women’s Aid. Victims from Cambridgeshire would not normally be housed in the same area.