Domestic abuse suspects face electronic tagging

Domestic abuse suspects face being banned from contacting their victims, drinking alcohol or taking drugs, and face electronic tagging to monitor their movements under a new civil protection order as part of a consultation launched by Theresa May on Thursday.

Breaches of any of the conditions of the new domestic abuse protection civil order will be punishable as a criminal offence. Ministers say they are designed as an early intervention measure to shield victims from further abuse from unconvicted suspects.

Family, civil or criminal courts may grant the new orders on a “freestanding application” from a victim or a member of their family or a support service without the need for police backing.

The orders form part of a wide-ranging consultation on measures to be included in the government’s draft domestic abuse bill, which includes a new statutory definition of abuse that for the first time recognises economic abuse. This would include forcing someone to take out loans, withholding access to wages or bank accounts, food, clothing or transport.

The government consultation paper also includes proposals to create a domestic abuse commissioner, tougher sentences for domestic abuse cases involving children, and special measures for victims in court including testifying behind screens or by video link so they do not have contact with their abusers.

Source: theguardian