Special domestic abuse court is brought in

5:47pm Monday 18th August 2008

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A new specialist court is being set up to deal with domestic abuse cases in South Cheshire.

The weekly court, which will sit for the first time on Monday September 15th, will deal with cases which involve trials and with sentencing when pre-sentence reports have been prepared by the Probation Service.

Police and partner agencies believe the change will provide valuable extra support for victims of domestic violence and result in more successful prosecutions.

At present, some investigations into allegations of domestic abuse have to be discontinued because the victim loses confidence and cannot face the possibility of a court hearing.

The court, at Crewe, will be comprised of magistrates who have received specialist domestic abuse awareness training.

It is part of the Specialist Domestic Violence Court Programme which provides a combined approach to domestic violence by the Police, the Crown Prosecution Service, the Probation Service, her Majesty’s Court Service and local support services for victims.

The agencies work together to identify, track and risk-assess domestic violence cases, support victims of domestic violence and share information with the aim of bringing more offenders to justice.

Specialist courts already exist in Halton and Chester and the impact has been dramatic. In Chester, the rate of convictions in domestic abuse cases has risen from about thirty per cent to seventy five per cent. In Halton it has gone from just ten per cent to seventy per cent!

Constable Matt Stephens, one of the team setting up the system in South Cheshire said, “We can put a lot of time and resources into an investigation but the victim needs to remain confident and resolved to do something about her or his situation if we are to get a satisfactory result.

“We know that is asking a lot. Victims of domestic abuse are inevitably vulnerable and it is all too easy for them to lose heart and withdraw the vital evidence they have to offer. Sometimes they just fail to turn up at court.

“In the new court the magistrates and the legal advisers will have had specialist training; the police officers will be specialists; and it will be a focal point for all the relevant support services.

“If victims and witnesses have to go to court to give evidence, they can be confident that everyone there will understand about violence and abuse in the home.

"It will remove any feeling they might have that their case is being slotted in between a burglary and a prosecution for theft. It should make them feel a lot more secure.

“In fact, where victims stay resolved to see a prosecution through, a trial is often not necessary. The partner realises they are not going to intimidate or bluff their way out, and admits what he or she has done.”

Richard Holland, the Deputy Justices’ Clerk in the South Cheshire magistrates Court said, “The training the magistrates are receiving provides a grounding in all the basic issues surrounding domestic abuse.

"They know these offences have to be put in context. They appreciate that victims are often reluctant to come forward and that abusers will sometimes blame their victims.

“They also know that it is necessary to look at reports from the probation service and other evidence of that type before deciding whether an incident of violence or something similar may have been a one-off event.

"All points of mitigation must be challenged and examined. Members of the public needing to contact the Domestic Abuse Family Safety Unit can call it on 01606 351375.