This petition was submitted during the 2015-2017 parliament
Petition Make domestic violence a crime in its own right with clear sentencing guidelines
The impact of domestic violence on victims and children and the financial and emotional cost to society is huge. Violence is rarely an isolated event but part of a campaign. Again and again, perpetrators walk free from court or receive nominal sentences: proportionate justice for victims is rare.
More details
Watch BBC's Behind Closed Doors and consider how often the sentence actually fits the crime and achieves justice for victims of DV. See www.cps.gov.uk/legal/s_to_u/sentencing_manual for common assault, actual bodily harm and grievous bodily harm. Unless the assault breaks the skin or bones, highest charge is ABH, max sentence is 5 years, likely 3 or less, out in half the time, minus remand time: likely released from court or very shortly after. Impact on victims and children is lifelong.
This petition is closed This petition ran for 6 months
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