Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 36
36
Rejected
Paragraph: 124
Incorporate full domestic abuse victim definition and define CHIDVAs and CHISVAs within the Bill
Recommendation
We recommend that the Bill includes the entire definition of a domestic abuse victim as it appears in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. We further recommend that the Bill also defines Independent Sexual Violence Advisors and Independent Domestic Violence Advisors who support children—so called CHIDVAs and CHISVAs.
Government Response Summary
The government rejected defining CHIDVAs and CHISVAs in legislation, stating these roles are less established. They will carefully consider how statutory guidance might clarify how ISVAs and IDVAs should support the needs of children and young people.
Paragraph Reference:
124
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
59. As set out in paragraph 44, the Government agrees with the Committee that the Bill should align with the full Part 1 definition of domestic abuse as it appears in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and will implement this change ahead of introduction. 60. The Government recognises the importance of meeting the unique needs of children and young people. Therefore, we will carefully consider how statutory guidance might clarify the ways in which ISVAs and IDVAs should support the needs of children and young people. 61. While we acknowledge the importance of Children’s Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (CHIDVAs) and Children’s Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (CHISVAs), these roles are less established. We therefore will not seek to define these roles in legislation while these roles are still developing.