DOMESTIC abuse will be considered a specific criminal offence in the Island within days following a decision by the States Assembly.
Members had already agreed the move in principle and yesterday rubber-stamped the law, which is due to come into force on Wednesday 21 June.
The new legislation classes domestic abuse as a specific offence where both parties are personally connected, they are aged 16 or over and on more than one occasion one person is abusive to another. The offence is punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment and an unlimited fine.
The law also strengthens protection for those who have suffered abuse by giving courts new powers to impose domestic abuse protection orders, while coercive or controlling behaviour – whereby a victim is made dependent or subordinate to another – will for the first time be defined as domestic abuse.
Home Affairs Minister Helen Miles said: ‘The legislation is a critical step forward in addressing domestic abuse in Jersey, [and] by strengthening legal protections and providing additional support for survivors [it] sends a clear message that domestic abuse will not be tolerated.
‘Domestic abuse is deeply damaging, invidious behaviour, and we know that it causes much harm in our community.
‘We are working closely with the Violence Against Women and Girls Taskforce to identify any further resources, additional legislative reforms and required methods of protection, and I look forward to their forthcoming report findings and recommendations.’
Lisa Leventhal, chief executive of Jersey Women’s Refuge, said: ‘It’s a step in the right direction and a great comfort to women who know that they are in relationships that are controlling and coercive that this abuse is now a criminal offence. The law will be incredibly important as a deterrent.’
In 2021, there were 1,151 recorded domestic abuse incidents in the Island and 431 crimes associated with domestic abuse.
‘It accounts for 15% of all recorded crime.
