Crimes of violence

All Standard Notes
24 Documents
DateDescription
14.05.2013Domestic violence
Domestic violence accounted for 15% of all violent incidents in 2011/12. Nearly one third of women and nearly one fifth of men say they have experienced domestic abuse since the age of 16. This standard note looks at the Goverment's policy on this area.
26.04.2013The abolition of sentences of Imprisonment for Public Protection
The Government has abolished sentences of imprisonment for public protection (IPPs) for offenders convicted on or after 3 December 2012, and replaced them with different sentences for dangerous offenders. However the change was not made retrospective. The change in the law will not apply to people currently serving these sentences.
21.03.2013Stalking
The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 introduced new criminal offences of stalking, and stalking involving fear of violence. This follows a campaign which has been conducted over the past year, including a unique Independent Parliamentary Inquiry by the Justice Unions' Parliamentary Group.
28.02.2013Crime: Social Indicators page
Crime: Social Indicators page. By Gavin Berman and Roderick McInnes. SN/SG/2617.
28.01.2013Legal aid for victims of domestic violence
The issue of legal aid for private family law cases involving domestic violence remained controversial as the Government published its white paper in response to the public consultation and as the subsequent Bill (now the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012) made its way through Parliament. The Act is expected to come into force in April 2013. Provisions in the Act allow for legal aid to be provided in private law children and family proceedings where there is evidence of domestic abuse. The range of evidence of domestic abuse to be accepted - although much discussed during the Bill's passage - does not form part of the Act but has since been published in regulations.
10.01.2013Householders and the criminal law of self defence
This note considers the potential criminal liability of householders who use force against intruders. Such householders will have a complete defence if they can demonstrate they were using reasonable force in self defence. However, cases such as those of Tony Martin and Munir Hussain have led some to call for a change in the law so that the test is one of "not grossly disproportionate force" rather than "reasonable force". The Government is now proposing to legislate for such a change by way of the Crime and Courts Bill.
22.11.2012Knives and offensive weapons
This note summarises the legislation which governs the possession and sale of knives and other offensive weapons. It includes an overview of recent developments such as the Tackling Knives Action Programme and Brooke Kinsella's review of anti-knife crime projects.
16.11.2012Changes to Criminal Injuries Compensation
The Government is reforming Crimininal Injuries Compensation, and a new scheme is due to come into force on 27 November 2012. The changes have been controversial.
06.11.2012Knife crime statistics
The issue of knife related crime continues to be high on the political agenda due to a series of tragic knife related incidents. This note summarises the available statistics relating to knife crime.
31.07.2012Third party action on behalf of victims of domestic violence
Section 60 of the Family Law Act 1996, which could allow third parties to apply for certain court orders on behalf of domestic violence victims, has never been brought into force. This note looks at some of the arguments surrounding this issue.
08.06.2012Forced marriage
The Government has said that it make forced marriage a criminal offence, and that it will also criminalise the breach of Forced Marriage Protection Orders. This follows a consultation, the results of which were published on 8 June 2012.
22.05.2012Labour policy on Domestic Violence - 1999-2010
The Labour Government introduced a number of reforms to the legal remedies for victims of domestic violence, and introduced a number of non-legislative measures. This note examines the development of Labour policy in this area.
27.04.2012Constituency-level crime data
This note highlights the constituency-level crime data that is potentially available.
11.04.2012Immigration: domestic violence
A new policy concession enables migrant spouses to apply for a temporary immigration status which allows recourse to public funds whilst their application for indefinite leave under the domestic violence rules is under consideration.
16.03.2012Protection of Freedoms Bill: Lords amendments
This note summarises the Lords amendments to the Protection of Freedoms Bill, which are due to be considered by the Commons on 19 March 2012.
12.03.2012Clare's law: the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme consultation
On 5 March 2012, the Government announced that it would be piloting a scheme to test a process for enabling the police to disclose to the public information about previous violent offending by a new or existing partner. The consultation on the scheme had shown it to be a controversial one. This note looks at the background and the reactions.
09.03.2012Domestic Violence: a select bibliography
Domestic Violence: a select bibliography.
26.10.2011The August 2011 riots: a statistical summary
Statistics relating to the public disorder in English cities between 6th-9th August 2011.
20.10.2011Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims (Amendment) Bill - Committee Stage Report
This Bill is a Private Members' Bill introduced by Sir Paul Beresford. It has received Government support. This Bill was introduced into the Commons on 30 June 2010, and received its second reading without debate on 18 March 2011. The Government tabled a series of amendments for the Bill's committee stage, which were welcomed by Sir Paul. These amendments were all added to the Bill without division. The Bill is due to have its report stage on Friday 21 October 2011.
11.03.2010Domestic violence statistics
Domestic violence statistics. By Gavin Thompson. SN/SG/950. Summary of statistics on the extent and nature of domestic violence from the criminal justice system and the British Crime Survey. Measurement and interpretation issues also discussed
13.10.2009Alcohol policy and the effects of The Licensing Act 2003
This article reviews some figures on alcohol-related mortality and morbidity, discusses the policy challenge posed by excessive alcohol consumption and evaluates some of the statistics that have emerged following the implementation of The Licensing Act.
20.04.2009The International Criminal Court: Current Cases and Contemporary Debates
This note is intended to offer a brief overview of the current work of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the contemporary debates which surround it.
13.03.2009Sexual and gender-based violence: global trends and perspectives
This Note is intended as an introduction to some key trends and perspectives on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) around the world.
18.11.2005Homicide rate and death penalty
All Research Papers
6 Documents
DateDescription
26.10.2011Social Indicators
A compendium of the latest social statistics. This edition includes articles: The August 2011 riots: a statistical summary, and Initial proposals for new constituency boundaries.
09.08.2007The Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill Bill 130 of 2006-07
06.10.2006Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Bill
The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Bill (Bill 220 of 2005-06). House of Commons Library Research Paper 06/46
17.06.2005Violent Crime Reduction Bill (Bill 10 of 2005-06)
The Violent Crime Reduction Bill (Bill 10 2005-06). House of Commons Library Research Paper 05/49
09.06.2004Domestic Violence Crime and Victims Bill (HL) (Bill 83 2003/04)
The Domestic Violence Crime and Victims Bill (HL) (Bill 83 2003/04): Criminal procedure and victims. House of Commons Library Research Paper 04/43.
09.06.2004Domestic Violence Crime and Victims Bill (HL) (Bill 83 2003/04)
The Domestic Violence Crime and Victims Bill (HL) (Bill 83 2003/04): Domestic violence provisions. House of Commons Library Research Paper 04/44.