Better protection for domestic violence victims under pre-charge bail reforms

The reforms, collectively known as ‘Kay’s Law’, mean police will have a duty to take into account the views of victims before releasing someone on bail.

Forces will be encouraged to use pre-charge bail instead of releasing suspects under investigation, where it is necessary and proportionate.

The Home Office said Kay’s Law, named after a victim of domestic violence, is one of many measures the Government has taken to support victims, bring perpetrators to justice and protect women and girls across the country.

This includes the ‘Enough’ campaign to tackle violence against women and girls, the second phase of which launched this week.

The campaign aims to provide bystanders with a range of safe ways to intervene if they witness an incident of violence against women and girls, ranging from sexual harassment on the street, public transport or at work, to unwanted touching, sharing intimate images of someone without their consent and coercive control in a relationship.

Minister for Safeguarding Mims Davies said: “There is no place in our society for cowardly acts of violence against women and girls.

“Abuse comes in many forms, and by standing against all of them, and holding perpetrators accountable, we can create a society where women and girls are safe.​

“This campaign, as well as our crucial reforms to pre-charge bail under Kay’s Law, is part of this vision. However, there is more to be done, and I am committed to continuing this vital work.

Kay’s Law is named after Kay Richardson, who was murdered by her estranged husband after he was released under investigation, following his arrest for sexual offences against Ms Richardson.

In 2019, the Government launched a review of pre-charge bail legislation, which led to the reforms being implemented this week, including the new duty that aims to provide better protection for victims such as Ms Richardson.

The measures were introduced as part of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act.

The ‘Enough’ campaign was launched in March this year following publication of the Government’s Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy in 2021.

The second phase of the campaign includes television adverts, billboards, social media and radio advertising, which highlight different forms of violence against women and girls and the simple acts that anyone can take to challenge perpetrators of abuse.

Deputy Chief Constable Maggie Blyth, National Police Chiefs’ Council violence against women and girls coordinator, said: “Policing has a key role of going after the violent people who commit these awful crimes but we cannot arrest our way out of the societal issues that lead to this behaviour.

“If we are serious about long-term change then we need to prevent harm and violence to women and girls by changing attitudes and behaviour across society.

Deniz Uğur, deputy director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, welcomed the next phase of the Enough, something for which the coalition has campaigned for years.

“We know that without shifting the attitudes behind male violence against women, this violence won’t end,” she said.

“We’re pleased to see the Enough campaign focus on what everyone in society can do to end violence against women, because too often, campaigns are targeted at women and wrongly place the responsibility on us to ‘keep ourselves safe’.

“But ending violence against women is everyone’s business. We want to see men and boys actively engaged in this conversation, because we should all be able to take action and hold each other accountable.

“Preventing violence is always better than waiting until harm has been done to act. Achieving this requires a genuine commitment, because this work takes time and needs dedicated and long-term resourcing.”

Farah Nazeer, chief executive of Women’s Aid, added: “We were pleased to help support the development of the Home Office’s Enough campaign, to raise awareness of violence against women and girls and encourage people to stop everyday abuse and harassment.

“Everyone has a role to play in ending violence against women – whether it takes place in the home or in public – and we must all step up and play our part. By changing public attitudes and challenging everyday misogyny and sexism, we can all help to make society a safer place for women and girls.

Graham Goulden, international leadership and bystander trainer, and retired Scottish police officer, said the Enough campaign “provides focus on a very important group of people who can make a difference”.

“Bystanders are often present in the build up to incidents, at the time of an incident or afterwards,” he said.

“When one person speaks up they signal that a behaviour is wrong. They also make it ok for others to intervene as well. Therefore it’s important we communicate this message as well as giving friends, colleagues, neighbours and other bystanders the tools to act.

“One person can make a difference. The Enough campaign will make a difference.”

The campaign will work with organisations involved in the night-time economy and fitness industry, such as gyms, as these are places where violence against women and girls can often occur, said the Home Office.

It also provides information on support services, how to report violence to the police and offers guidance for individuals worried about their own behaviour.

Over the coming weeks, the campaign website will include a dedicated page for teachers, with educational materials for use in schools on violence against women and girls.