Hello beautiful, charming, testosterone driven individuals,

If you're based in the UK, many of you may know that the Domestic Abuse Bill was given Royal Assent yesterday. Here are the major takeaways[a] from the bill:

You can read the draft bill here.

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  1. Will see children who live in a home where domestic abuse takes place recognised as victims in their own right rather than witnesses for the first time. The Bill will recognise a child who sees or hears, or experiences the effects of, domestic abuse and is related to the person being abused or the perpetrator is also to be regarded as a victim of domestic abuse. [a]
  2. Places a duty on local authorities in England to provide support to victims of domestic abuse and their children in refuges and other safe accommodation. [a]
  3. Increases protections for families affected by domestic abuse under Domestic Abuse Protection Orders and the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme. [a]
  4. Extends victim protections to young people aged 16 and over. In 2020, the minimum age for a person to be classed as a victim of domestic abuse by a partner was lowered to 16 meaning that all elements of the Bill will affect young people above this age. Key elements of the Bill include strengthening rules surrounding controlling or coercive behaviour, target revenge porn and end the "rough sex defence" in court. [a]
  5. Gives all eligible homeless victims of domestic abuse, aged 16 and above, "priority need" for homelessness assistance. [a]

1-3 are particularly interesting because they seem very particular in what they will offer, but I've been doing some thinking and I think there's a weakness here because one could argue that domestic abuse goes both ways, although we know that it is almost always argued as a 'male to female' issue.

Could a parent apply for legal aid to protect their child from an abusive parent, for example?

It may also go some way to eliminating Parental Alienation given that fathers could argue that the child is suffering domestic abuse from the mother.