We work to secure a fair hearing for the victims of domestic abuse
Our unique approach
Fair Hearing exists to make the family justice system safer, fairer and more accountable for victims and children affected by domestic abuse (DA). We work across the judiciary, policing, mediation, and policy landscapes to embed trauma-informed, victim-led practice at the heart of decision-making.
We have changed the law: supported Jess Asato MP in drafting a successful amendment to the Victims and Courts Bill, restricting parental responsibility for those convicted of offences against any child.
Fair Hearing’s Role in Driving Legislative Reform
Serious sex offenders will no longer have automatic parental responsibility for their children thanks to an amendment to the Victims and Courts Bill.
Those convicted of serious child sexual offences can be stripped of the parental responsibility for their own children when they offend against any child.
Fair Hearing has supported Jess Asato MP by drafting the amendment she introduced in in Parliament.
“This move will protect thousands of children” Asato said, “and I want to pay tribute to Fair Hearing for their steadfast campaigning on this issue.”
Impact
We have changed how judges, mediators and police officers understand DA: more than 300 judges (up to 800 when the current programme is complete) have been trained in relational, trauma-informed practice; the Judicial College has now embedded this programme in its curriculum and funded its continuation; 1000 mediators and 48 sergeant police officers will undertake an adapted version of our training programme.
Outcomes To Date
- Worked with heads of training at the Judicial College to develop a victim led, trauma-informed training module to improve understanding of DA for criminal and family court judges
- Edited Equal Treatment Bench Book to improve advice on DA
- Our Director Julia Margo appointed as official trainer at the Judicial College
- Successfully called for reintroduction of 1994 protocol to link criminal and family court cases impacting same family so that there can be joint directions and better planning to protect victims
- Ben Douglas-Jones KC and Josh Babarinde MP have agreed to collaborate with us on introducing a new statutory defence of domestic abuse, copying elements of Section 45 of the Modern Slavery Act of 2015
- Contributed to wholesale Review of Judicial training on DA being undertaken by the Judicial College, and Judicial College introducing new standards to monitor treatment of DA
Latest News
Coercive Control Is Not ‘High Conflict’: Why Misunderstanding Domestic Abuse Puts Survivors at Risk
