Below a link to a recent important Soroptimist Report on the Domestic Violence Court functioning in England. Local Soroptimists from the club in Elmbridge were involved with this project observing at court cases at Guildford, completing and submitting results which have in part enabled this analysis of functioning and “fit for purpose”. The results and recommendations need to be circulated widely so influencers are aware of the shortcoming in terms of victim support. Members have sent the report to Ben Spencer, Jonathon Lord and Dominic Raab, MPs locally and already action has been taken to highlight the findings to the Ministry of Justice. It has also been circulated to Magistrates, Judges, DA Services, Charities, and the Police Commissioners amongst others with very positive comment and outcomes already. SI Weybridge & District are delighted to share the report link with you; do share this to anyone who is dealing with violence against women and those who might influence and enable change.
Starting in 2017 under Dame Vera Baird, the aim of this project was to provide an independent review across England of how Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts should be improved for victims of abuse, the majority of whom are women. The project was been carried out by Soroptimists across England and involved c4,000 hours of volunteer time in observations and in excess of 1,000 questionnaires were submitted in relation to observations made at over 30 courts. The final report (of four) is now available and the collective reports together come very close to being a comprehensive report on the way in which the Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts are working on a national basis. Soroptimists stand up as advocates for all women, especially for those who have no voice. We have worked as independent observers to give the public confidence in our courts, but we also want to drive improvement and our recommendations seek to help build public trust in our justice system.
A full copy of the 2023
report and access to the earlier findings is
available at https://sigbi.org/2023/specialist-domestic-abuse-courts/