§ Baroness Gould of Potternewtonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What progress has been made on the survey of court orders in 12 courts in order to consider (a) the rates of enforcement, (b) whether the courts are using options such as supervised or indirect contact of parents with children following break-up of marriage as a result of domestic violence, and (c) what are the rates of domestic violence. [HL1903]
§ The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (Baroness Scotland of Asthal)The first survey, carried out in 2001, provided baseline192WA information on the levels and nature of enforcement proceedings and incidences of domestic violence in residence and contact applications. As part of our ongoing programme to increase safe contact, a more comprehensive survey will be carried out in the spring. This will address the points raised in the Question, gather further statistical data and gauge how courts are dealing with these issues.