Six new Special Domestic Violence Courts announced

Six new Specialist Domestic Violence Courts (SDVCs) have been announced by the Ministry of Justice. The new courts will be in Wales, the East Midlands, North East, North West and South East.

They will add to the 98 SDVCs across England and Wales that are now a fundamental part of the Government's efforts to improve the support and care provided for victims of domestic violence. The first SDVC accreditation process took place in 2005/2006 with 25 accredited in April 2006.

These courts work by bringing together police, prosecutors, court staff, the probation service and specialist support services so that more offenders are brought to justice. The Courts also have specially trained magistrates in dealing with domestic violence and victims receive tailored support and advice from Independent Domestic Violence Advisors.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: Domestic Violence is a devastating crime and through almost 100 Specialist Domestic Violence Courts already in place we are providing victims across the country with the support they need to come forward and help us bring these perpetrators to justice. We know this approach is working - the number of prosecutions has doubled in the past four years and an average of 70 per cent of cases now result in a successful prosecution.

"These six additional Specialist Domestic Violence Courts will mean that even more victims can benefit from these services."

Further information on Specialist Domestic Violence Courts can be found from the Home Office website.