New court to crack down on violence in the home
Posted on March 19, 2008
Filed Under Press Releases
The News
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
THROUGH these doors are set to pass a stream of people charged with hurting those they are supposed to love most.
This is the entrance to Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court, which is now home to a specialist court dedicated to prosecuting men and women who are guilty of domestic violence.
As part of the new court, all Portsmouth magistrates have had training about handling domestic violence cases.
The court – known as a cluster court because the cases are all put before the same magistrates one after another – is run by a specially-trained legal advisor and cases prosecuted by two specially-trained crown lawyers.
The aim is to deal with abusers swiftly and justly.
Deputy district crown prosecutor Victoria Cook said: ‘It’s about securing more convictions and supporting people through the system.
‘If there are repeat offenders they will be coming back before the same court.
‘Specially-trained staff are alert to all the sentencing guidelines and the problems victims face giving evidence and they can support and encourage them through the court process. They can tell them about special measures – such as giving evidence through a video link and not in the court room.
‘All the organisations, like police and the Early Intervention Project in Portsmouth, can come to court on one particular day and make sure support is available.’
Sergeant Jerry Cracknell, from Portsmouth’s domestic abuse unit, said that by successfully prosecuting more people the police hoped it would encourage more victims to come forward.
It is estimated that only about one in 10 victims currently report domestic violence.
Sgt Cracknell said: ‘We’re hoping to achieve more convictions. A lot of the problem is people are unwilling or unable to attend court because of fear of reprisals. At the court people are aware of the problems and issues.’
Police recorded 2,603 domestic incidents in Portsmouth between April and November 2006, the latest figures available.
In the Central policing area, covering Havant, Waterlooville, Hayling Island, Gosport and Fareham as well as Winchester, there were 3,256 and across Hampshire there were 13,496.
But that is just a fraction of the assaults that happen behind closed doors every day.
The News spoke to one women who stayed silent for 30 years.
The 62-year-old grandmother, from Fratton, left her husband a few years ago after suffering three decades of terrifying violence.
He thought nothing of lashing out with his fists and legs – dishing out black eyes and broken ribs.
She said: ‘This new system is good because you’re going to have people who can spell out what’s going to happen. You want somebody that’s going to be with you all the way.
‘I think the only way to deal with the problem is to prosecute. If a stranger had come up to me in the street and done the things my husband did to me there is no doubt he would be serving a lengthy prison sentence.
‘By dealing with them in court you’re saying this is not acceptable. It first happened within three weeks of being
married in 1975. Then it wouldn’t have entered my head to go to the police. I expected them to say “domestic violence, love, it happens to all of us”.
‘Now there are so many people that can help.’
EARLY INTERVENTION PROJECT
The Early Intervention Project run by Portsmouth City Council helps women living in a violent and abusive relationship.
It is based at the recently opened Treetops Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Cosham.
Violence is only one form of domestic abuse. Sexual assault is common but women and men can also be subjected to emotional abuse and financial abuse with their access to money taken away and being isolated from their family.
To contact the Early Intervention Project call (023) 9221 0352.
A domestic violence helpline is also run by Southern Focus Trust on 0800 587 6500.
And in the event of an emergency call the police on 999.
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