Domestic Violence and Family Law: A New Era

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Family Law Week

Further sections of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 (DVCVA) came into force on 1st July 2007. In an effort to improve protective measures for the victims of domestic violence – which also include the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and male victims - the DVCVA makes significant changes to Part IV of the Family Law Act 1996 (FLA). In particular, the definition of 'associated persons' and 'co-habitants' is extended, the breach of a non-molestation order is criminalised with such orders no longer being capable of having a power of arrest attached, and the procedure for the acceptance of undertakings by a court is changed.