Sentencing: Domestic Violence

Philip Davies
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what research has been used to formulate sentencing options in cases of domestic violence where there are (a) male perpetrators with female victims, (b) female perpetrators with male victims, (c) male perpetrators with male victims and (d) female perpetrators with female victims; what sentencing options are available in such cases; what training is provided to magistrates in each category of domestic violence; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hanson
There are no specific offences of domestic violence and violent offences that take place in a domestic context will be charged as general offences of violence. No specific research has been undertaken to inform sentencing of offenders who have committed domestic violence. However, the Sentencing Guidelines Council has made clear in its Definitive Guideline Overarching Principles: Domestic Violence, effective from 18 December 2006, that offences committed in a domestic context should be regarded as being no less serious than offences committed in a non-domestic context; rather that, because an offence has been committed in a domestic context, there are likely to be aggravating factors present that make it more serious. Magistrates receive general training in application of sentencing guidelines.