§ Mr. DjanoglyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what policies are in place to tackle female-on-male domestic violence. [185075]
§ Mr. BrowneThe 2001 British Crime Survey's Inter-Personal Violence Module shows that one in four women and one in six men have suffered domestic violence at some point in their lives, though women form the overwhelming majority of those subject to the heaviest abuse in terms of frequency, range of violence and severity of injury. The Government's definition of domestic violence is clear that domestic violence can occur regardless of gender or sexuality and the important measures in the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Bill will protect both male and female victims.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the procedure is for women to press charges against their male partners in cases of domestic violence. [185813]
§ Mr. Browne[holding answer 22 July 2004]: A decision on whether or not to proceed with a case and press charges is a matter for the CPS, having received a file of evidence from the police. Decisions will be made on the appropriate level of charge once the two tests in the code for Crown Prosecutors have been passed. These are firstly whether there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction, and secondly that of the public interest. Victims' views are taken into consideration as part of the public interest test. The two tests must be passed before any criminal case can proceed. The procedure is the same regardless of gender or sexuality.