Commissioner calls for end to justice lottery for domestic abuse victims

Dame Nicole Jacobs report finds that victims routinely face a lack of specialist service referrals, poor enforcement of protective orders, court delays and early release of abusers as they seek safety and justice.

In an alarming new statistic, the Commissioner indicates police are failing to root out abusers within their own ranks – only four per cent of alleged domestic abuse perpetrators in the police workforce are dismissed.

With prisons at breaking point, the criminal justice system must step up to tackle the scale of domestic abuse – especially when less than a fifth of victims report to police in the first place.

The Commissioner warns that these crises could steer the Government off course, and without addressing the criminal justice response to domestic abuse, the pledge of halving violence against women and girls within a decade will fall flat.

Dame Nicole said: “As domestic abuse is recognised for the crime that it is, the needs of victims have been met with a criminal justice system ill-equipped to respond to the enormity of the challenge.

“Just five per cent of police-recorded domestic abuse offences reach conviction; and less than a fifth of victims have the confidence to report to the police in the first place. Faith in the system is at an all-time low. That’s why now is the time to share my vision for reform.

“My report highlights examples of excellent practice – this must now become the standard across all criminal justice agencies, including our 43 police forces. Change is never easy, but the dedication and commitment of those already driving progress gives me great hope.

“Now is the time to act – decisively and collaboratively – so that all domestic abuse victims get the right response, every single time.”

Chief Constable Sir Andy Marsh, chief executive officer at the College of Policing, said: “I welcome the Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s Criminal Justice Report, which reinforces the vital importance of tackling domestic abuse and the need for a coordinated approach in supporting the criminal justice system.

“I am pleased that the work we are doing at the College of Policing to better professionalise public protection, alongside the strengthening of policing vetting processes, align so well with the report’s asks, but I recognise that there is much more that we must – and will – do.

“We remain committed to driving further improvements on behalf of all victims and survivors.”

Anthony Rogers, HM Chief Inspector of the Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate, said: “The prevalence of domestic abuse is increasing and is a crime that should not be tolerated. The system struggles to cope with demands placed upon it, and in previous inspections we have commented that specialist domestic abuse services – who play a vital role – are critically underfunded.

“The Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s report sets out clear recommendations that if addressed will help turn what is a fragmented service into one that will help victims as they deal with the one of the most traumatic experiences that they will face.”