Sussex specialist domestic abuse courts introduced

Thursday, 25 April 2024 12:45

By Thomas Hanway, Local Democracy Reporter @V2RadioSussex

Worthing County and Family Courts, Worthing Law Courts, Christchurch Road

Specialist domestic abuse courts are now ‘up and running’ in four Sussex areas.

Speaking at a Sussex Police performance and accountability meeting on Friday, April 19, Chief Constable Jo Shiner said the new courts were up and running in Hastings, Eastbourne, Brighton and Worthing.

According to Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne, they were introduced on April 1 by HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) for defendants charged with any domestic abuse offence who would otherwise go to a magistrates’ court for their first hearing.

The courts will also consider sentencing, breaches and variations of court orders relating to any domestic abuse offences, including restraining orders, domestic violence prevention orders, non-molestation orders and other related cases.

Independent domestic violence advocates (IDVA) accompany, support, and keep victims informed throughout the prosecution process, providing further support should the victim attend the sentencing hearing but can attend court on their behalf instead.

Ms Shiner said the four courts set up so far were a ‘really, really welcome’ introduction.

She said: “The first few courts we’ve now got the numbers for and there’s been a few teething errors, of course there have been, but we would expect that. The actual impact on Sussex Police is pretty minimal, but the impact on victims is huge – the IDVAs also play a large part in that as well”.

She added the IDVAs provided assurance to victims during a ‘rightfully and understandably very stressful time’.

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