Responding to the latest amendments to the Sentencing Bill, 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. This includes the Sentencing Bill’s creation of a presumption that custodial sentences of less than 12 months will be suspended.
“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.
“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.
“Too often, domestic abuse goes unacknowledged in legal proceedings, or the impact is minimised. Refuge welcomes the Bill’s requirement for judges and magistrates to clearly state when domestic abuse has been a factor in an offence. This is a vital step forward, but it must be implemented swiftly and applied consistently, both in custody decisions and in community management of domestic abuse offenders.
“Survivors supported by Refuge have told us they are deeply concerned that efforts to reduce the prison population could put their safety at risk. We urge the Government to make clear how it will ensure all domestic abuse offenders are exempt from the presumption against short custodial sentences, and how this will be monitored and enforced in practice. To prevent perpetrators from slipping through the cracks, we also call on MPs to push for stronger judicial training on domestic abuse. Women’s safety depends on it.”
