Context
The question addresses the issue of domestic abusers using legal proceedings to maintain control over victims, including concerns about misuse of civil courts and unqualified experts making false accusations.
Question
What steps he is taking to prevent domestic abuse perpetrators from using the justice system to extend control over victims. My hon. Friend takes domestic abuse very seriously, but is she aware that perpetrators all too frequently seek to use the civil courts to perpetrate further abuse of their victims, often with the support of legal aid and often using “experts” with no relevant qualifications to make accusations of, for instance, parental alienation or child grooming? Can she please reassure me that the Government are taking this matter seriously, to ensure that perpetrators do not continue to use our courts system to retraumatise their victims?
Answer from Laura Farris
The Government have taken significant steps to prevent domestic abusers from using the justice system to extend control over their victims, including Section 65 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 which prevents cross-examination and requires special measures in court. Prohibition orders under section 91(14) of the Children Act 1989 bar individuals from making further applications to court without permission when abusive partners are judged to be bringing victims back to court without reasonable purpose. Additionally, changes made under the Domestic Abuse Act allow courts to make prohibition orders on their own volition and legal aid means test reviews have been undertaken to make the test more generous for victims.
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