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Written question asked by Cherilyn Mackrory (Conservative) on Wednesday, 12 October 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 October 2022. It was answered by Mims Davies (Conservative) on Thursday, 20 October 2022 on behalf of the Home Office.


Domestic Abuse

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether post separation abuse is a prosecutable offence under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.

Answer

Sections 1 and 2 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 included a strengthened definition of domestic abuse which recognises abuse can take place post separation.

Section 1 sets out that the relationship between an individual being abused and the perpetrator is one where they are ‘personally connected’. Section 2 expands what is meant by ‘personally connected’ and is explicit this includes instances where to people “are, or have been” in various forms of relationship, including marriage, civil partnerships, and intimate personal relationships.

The Domestic Abuse Statutory Guidance, issued by the Home Secretary under Section 84 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, includes specific references to post-separation abuse, acknowledging “abuse can continue or intensify when a relationship has ended.”


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
62123
Session
2022-23
Subjects
Domestic abuse Separation
Legislation
Domestic Abuse Act 2021
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk