Local London Assembly Member, Joanne McCartney AM, has supported a motion of the Assembly calling for a register of domestic abusers. This follows a report into domestic abuse in the capital recently launched by Len Duvall, Leader of the London Assembly Labour Group. The report said tougher checks on perpetrators were needed in order to protect survivors and prevent reoffending. In the year to June 2017, there were nearly 150,000 incidents of domestic abuse in the capital, and 5955 incidents in Enfield and 5463 in Haringey. Yet just over 400 serial cross border offenders are kept on a list for monitoring and tracking by the Metropolitan Police. Ms McCartney said a register could provide a “vital step change” in the way repeat offences are prevented in London.
The number of domestic abuse victims in London has risen from 62,546 in 2014 to 71,926 in 2016, equating to a 15% increase. Domestic abuse now accounts for almost 1 in 10 offences in the capital. In Enfield & Haringey there were 11,418 incidents in the year to June 2017. Whilst changes to legislation in recent years have sought to take more stringent action against perpetrators, Ms McCartney said a more streamlined approach was called for.
Since 2014 the government have brought in Domestic Violence Protection Orders, which ban domestic abusers from returning to a residence and having contact with the victim for 28 days. Criminal Behaviour Orders were brought in at the same time, and, in addition to restraining orders, can also be used to prevent perpetrators from contacting or approaching their victims. 2014 also saw the introduction of the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme – commonly known as Clare’s Law after Clare Wood, a woman murdered by an ex-boyfriend in 2009. The disclosure scheme gives individuals the ‘Right to Ask’ about whether a new or existing partner has a violent history; whilst the ‘Right to Know’ element means police can chose to proactively disclose such information without a request. In December 2015, a coercive and controlling behaviour offence came into force, which means such behaviour that occurs between current and former partners or family members can lead to prosecution – and a maximum 5 year sentence – even if it falls short of physical violence.
The Met has also placed a specialised focus on tackling domestic abuse. Operation Dauntless+ involves the tracking of over 400 serial cross-border domestic abuse offenders, each of whom are subject to consideration for a ‘Right to Know’ disclosure.
Yet Ms McCartney says the provisions are “too patchy”. With estimates that 4 in 10 survivors of domestic abuse are repeat victims, Ms McCartney said she was backing calls for more stringent measures to prevent repeat offences. Mr Duvall’s report into domestic abuse in the capital urges the government to introduce a register, equivalent to that used for sexual offenders, to allow the police to hold information on perpetrators and better protect survivors. The register would put the onus on offenders to give the police their personal details, including name and address, and to update with any changes.
Other recommendations set out in the report call on the Mayor of London to work with the Met to re-evaluate the threshold for monitoring serial domestic abuse offenders and to continue to lobby the government for better resources for tackling domestic abuse and other crimes.
Local London Assembly Member, Joanne McCartney AM, said:
“I was pleased to back Labour’s motion supporting his report. Across London, we’re seeing domestic abuse increasing and we need to get serious about how we protect people from these vile acts.
“I recognise that the government have improved the law to allow for tougher action against abusers, but the provision is too patchy and reoffending remains too high.
“It’s time to get tough. We need to send a clear message to anyone committing domestic abuse that the police have them on their radar. I’m backing calls for a register of domestic abusers because I believe it could provide a vital step change in the way we prevent reoffending and protect people from these devastating crimes.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
- A copy of the report Domestic Abuse in London by Len Duvall, launched 10th August 2017, can be found here;
- The full text of the motion, which was passed unanimously at the London Assembly Plenary on the 7th September 2017 is as follows:
This Assembly is concerned that the number of domestic abuse victims in London increased by 15% from 62,546 in 2014 to 71,926 in 2016, and that domestic abuse now accounts for approximately 1 in 10 offences in the capital. We have seen from recent incidents that domestic violence affects not just women but also children and, in some cases, men.
This Assembly recognises the concerted effort of all those working to tackle domestic violence, including the Mayor, Government, police service; and those working in the voluntary and community sectors.
Changes to legislation in recent years have sought to take more stringent action against perpetrators and we welcome measures such as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme – also known as Clare’s Law - Domestic Violence Protection Orders and use of Criminal Behaviour Orders. We further note the work of the MPS in tracking some of the most prolific domestic abuse perpetrators through Operation Dauntless+.
However, with estimates that 4 in 10 survivors of domestic abuse are repeat victims more rigorous measures are needed to prevent repeat offences. This is a terrible crime that disproportionately threatens women, traumatises children with lasting impact and endangers lives.
This Assembly therefore calls on the Mayor to write to the Home Secretary asking her to introduce a register for those convicted of a domestic abuse related offence, equivalent to that used for sexual offenders. This would shift the onus onto the offender whilst allowing the police to hold information on perpetrators, prioritise resources based on risk and better protect survivors
- In 2014 the Metropolitan Police changed the way in which they record domestic abuse – From 13/11/2014 onwards the MPS introduced Outcome codes for each individual offence rather than the previous clear up method (Metropolitan Police Service, Freedom of information request April 2017, accessed 09/08/17).
- In the year to June 2017, there were 146,000 incidents of domestic abuse in London, an increase of 800 offences on the previous year (1% increase). In Enfield there were 5955 and in Haringey there were 5463 incidents during that same period.
- In 2014 there were 62,546 victims of domestic abuse in London. By 2016 this had risen to 71,926, equating to a 15% increase. This data is taken from the above FOI and can be found here;
- Domestic abuse accounts for 1 in 10 of all crime in London, (p.106 of the Mayor’s Police and Crime Plan);
- 4 in 10 survivors of domestic abuse are estimated to be repeat victims (according to the Crime Survey for England and Wales, table D6);
- Information about Domestic Violence Protection Orders can be found here;
- Information about Criminal Behaviour Orders can be found here;
- Information about the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (Clare’s Law) can be found here;
- Information about the controlling and coercive behaviour offence, introduced in 2015, can be found here;
- Information about Operation Dauntess+ was provided directly to Len Duvall by the Metropolitan Police;
- Information about the registration of sex offenders can be found here;
- There is no specific offence of domestic abuse. Domestic violence has a range of offences for which perpetrators can be prosecuted such as murder, rape, manslaughter, assault and threatening behaviour. Coercive or controlling behaviour is also new criminal offence as of 2015. (More information can be found on p.9 of the following report on Domestic Violence in England and Wales published by the House of Commons Library).