Criminal Justice Responses to Domestic Abuse in Northern Ireland

Description

This book provides a detailed exploration of the responses of the criminal justice system to domestic abuse in Northern Ireland. The book’s primary focus is on developments which have taken place since around 2010, and in particular since the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly in January 2020 after a three year suspension. The book includes discussion of the increased levels of domestic abuse in Northern Ireland in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, and analyses the ways in which the criminal justice system responded. In addition, the book includes in-depth discussion of the Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (Northern Ireland) 2021, which had the effect of criminalising coercive control, and the implications of this legislation for Northern Ireland’s response to domestic abuse. The book will be of great interest to academics and researchers from a wide variety of disciplines, such as criminal law, criminology, social policy, human rights, family law, gender studies and sociology; as well as practitioners and those in the voluntary sector who are working in the area of combating domestic abuse. It can also be used on courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels which incorporate the topic of domestic abuse. Cover Half Title Series Information Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents 1 Introduction Outline Terminology Notes 2 What Constitutes an Effective Criminal Justice Response to Domestic Abuse? Domestic Abuse and the Criminal Justice System The Need for Effective Criminal Legislation The Need for Effective Police Responses The Need for Effective Prosecutorial Responses The Need for Effective Judicial Responses Domestic Abuse as an International Human Rights Issue Human Rights Standards On Effective Criminal Justice Responses to Domestic Abuse Conclusion Notes 3 Criminal Justice Responses to Domestic Abuse in Northern Ireland Pre-2020 The Impact of the ‘Troubles’ On Criminal Justice Responses to Domestic Abuse in Northern Ireland Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland Report – December 2010 Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland Follow-Up Report – October 2013 Stopping Domestic and Sexual Violence and Abuse in Northern Ireland: A Seven Year Strategy The Need for Criminal Legislation On Domestic Abuse Domestic Violence and Abuse Disclosure Scheme Responding to Stalking Domestic Homicide Reviews Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland Report – June 2019 Conclusion Notes 4 Criminal Justice Responses to Domestic Abuse in Northern Ireland 2020–2022 Northern Ireland in Early 2020 – The Onset of COVID-19 The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic On Levels of Domestic Abuse in Northern Ireland Responses to the Rise in Levels of Domestic Abuse in Northern Ireland in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic Domestic Homicide Reviews Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (Northern Ireland) 2021 Protection From Stalking Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 Legislation On Non-Fatal Strangulation Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland Follow-Up Report – April 2021 Domestic Abuse Protection Notices and Orders Conclusion Notes 5 Conclusions Summary The Need for a Holistic Approach to Addressing Domestic Abuse Conclusion Notes Bibliography Index