Review how police deal with counter-allegations in domestic abuse cases

Background

Review how domestic abuse survivors are treated when there are retaliatory reports to the police. Ensure dual investigation of abuse and counter-claims, and consider making false reports used to silence or intimidate domestic abuse victims, a specific criminal offence.

Additional details

Survivors of abuse can be retraumatised when their abusers or associates make retaliatory police reports. This can silence victims, delay justice, and result in them being treated as suspects — while the abuse they originally reported might be ignored. The system must protect, not punish, those seeking safety. We believe that many survivors lose faith in the justice system due to this. The law should ensure fair treatment and that abusers cannot use the system to control/silence victims.

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