Honour based violence is an umbrella term used to describe practices which punishes individuals for their disobedience.

Elder abuse is defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring in any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person. WHO further outlines that elder abuse constitutes a violation of human rights which can take the form of physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological/emotional abuse, financial abuse, neglect and serious loss of dignity and respect.

The recent case of BU, Re [2021] EWCOP 54 concerns a lady (BU) who is 70 years old and suffers from vascular dementia. BU had been in a relationship with a man (NC) for 5 years. During this time, a number of family members raised concerns that NC was coercively controlling BU.

​In order to qualify for legal aid, survivors are required to provide evidence of domestic abuse taking place. This is to ensure that legal aid funding is targeted at those who are most in need. From 1st October 2021, health professionals will no longer be able to charge for providing this evidence in accordance with Section 80 of the Domestic Abuse Act.

Justice Secretary Robert Buckland and Home Secretary Priti Patel have expressed how they feel “deeply ashamed” of the low conviction rates for rape cases in England and Wales.

The long-awaited Domestic Abuse Bill shall become law after the House of Lords approved the bill just days before the end of the parliamentary session this week.

Last month the Government has confirmed their plan to make non-fatal strangulation a specific criminal offence under the new Domestic Abuse Bill.

This week we’re supporting ‘UK Says No More week - a national campaign aimed at ending domestic abuse and sexual violence across the UK.