Key Facts

• The room temperature is noted as being very warm.
• Attendees are encouraged to take off jackets, cardigans, or any clothing that might help them stay comfortable.
• The amendment has been signed by 24 MPs from five different parties.
• More than 16,000 offenders were charged with breach of notification requirements between 2015 and 2020.
• Over 700 registered sex offenders have gone missing in the last three years.
• Della Wright is a survivor who has been campaigning on this issue.
• Changing names can be done online for free or costs around £10.
• Experian and RELX can track offenders if requested by police.
• Police guidance allows for markers on offender files but limits requests to avoid high volumes.
• Changing names, obtaining new IDs, and getting clean DBS checks pose risks to vulnerable people.
• The UK has some of the toughest powers in the world for managing risk from certain categories of offender.
• A new standard licence condition was introduced in July 2022 requiring offenders to notify their probation practitioner if they change their name.
• Over 16,000 offenders were charged with breaching notification requirements between 2015 and 2020.
• More than 700 registered sex offenders have gone missing in the last three years alone.
• South Yorkshire police advised a victim not to seek mental health support during a trial in 2011-2012.
• A 22-year-old victim waited seven years without access to mental health support before her trial.
• New clause 4 will address the use of counselling notes, but pre-trial therapy access needs explicit inclusion in the Bill.
• Victims' Commissioner reported a 43% attrition rate for rape cases in 2021.
• Amendment 53 would place requirements for informing victims of their right to pre-trial therapy in the victims' code.
• Lack of therapeutic support is one reason behind victim attrition.
• The Bill includes a principle that victims should access services supporting them, including pre-trial therapy and counselling.
• There are plans to consult on an updated victims code after passage of the Bill.
• Family courts continue to make unsafe decisions, often resulting in children being placed with abusive parents.
• Reem Alsalem, UN special rapporteur on violence against women and girls, recently stated that dismissing domestic violence history in custody cases is unacceptable.
• A study by the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service found domestic abuse allegations in 62% of cases without proper implementation of special measures.
• The Family Procedure Rules 2010 provide for special measures in family proceedings for victims of domestic abuse.
• A rape complainant was traumatised during a fact-finding hearing without special measures.
• The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 clarifies the requirement for special measures under statute.
• Evidence from Women's Aid shows survivors being disbelieved in family courts.
• Family courts have been found to dismiss credible allegations of physical or sexual abuse raised by mothers.
• The UN report highlights gendered use of 'parental alienation' against mothers, stigmatizing and pathologising them.
• The amendment aims to improve support for victims in family courts.
• Special measures could include screens and other elements to help survivors of domestic or coercive abuse.
• There is a need to address parental alienation and ensure that family courts are aware of ongoing abuse.
• Amendment 64 aims to inform victims of their rights to access special measures in family court.
• The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 strengthened eligibility for special measures for domestic abuse victims in the family courts, effective from October 1, 2021.
• Guidance developed by the Ministry of Justice and HMCTS monitors data on special measures requests and provides information on support and measures available at local courts.