Refuge warns Sentencing Bill changes must not put survivors of domestic abuse at risk

Responding to the latest amendments, Ellie Butt, head of policy and public affairs at Refuge, said:

“Domestic abuse is a horrific crime and must be treated as such. Refuge has been clear that any efforts to tackle prison overcrowding must not compromise the safety of survivors.

“We recognise the need to ease pressure on the prison system, but the risks posed by domestic abuse perpetrators should be unambiguously treated as ‘exceptional circumstances’ that justify short prison sentences.”

Butt added that survivors supported by Refuge are “deeply concerned that efforts to reduce the prison population could put their safety at risk”.

“While the Bill exempts some domestic abuse offenders, we remain concerned that these provisions could be applied inconsistently, allowing perpetrators to avoid prison for serious crimes,” she said.

Refuge welcomed one aspect of the Bill requiring judges and magistrates to explicitly state when domestic abuse has been a factor in an offence, calling it “a vital step forward” that must be implemented and enforced consistently.

The charity has called on the government to:

• Make clear that all domestic abuse offenders are exempt from the presumption against short custodial sentences;

• Establish systems to monitor and enforce that exemption; and

• Provide stronger judicial training to improve understanding of the impact of domestic abuse.

“Women’s safety depends on it,” Butt said.