HC Deb 14 February 2003 vol 400 cc14-5W
Mr. Connarty

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps her Department is taking to inform victims of domestic violence of their rights. [96736]

Ms Rosie Winterton

The Government remain committed to tackling domestic violence. My Department's main responsibility is to make sure that victims of domestic violence have a swift and effective route to protection and perpetrators of violence are brought to justice.

We were involved in the production of the Law Society's "Family Law Protocol", which covers best practice in all aspects of private family law disputes, including domestic abuse. One of the many actions we are currently taking is to look at good examples of interagency working at local level, from which we shall produce a template of good practice.

I have set up a Domestic Violence Advisory Group that consists of people from voluntary organisations, lay magistrates, judges and police officers. We use these experts to make sure that our policies have a real impact in improving the lives of the families who suffer as a result of domestic violence.

The Community Legal Service (CLS) Just Ask! website provides on-line CLS leaflets and an up-to-date CLS Directory of legal suppliers, including solicitors, law centres and Citizens Advice Bureaux within England and Wales. The site also provides legal information in different languages and an Advice Search function so that users can search for legal information and advice from a selection of about 300 screened and approved sites. The Legal Services Commission produces a "Divorce and Separation" leaflet which gives information about further help and contacts. The LSC have plans to produce a new leaflet specifically covering domestic violence which they hope will be available in the summer.

Margaret Moran

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) when she plans to consult on new guidance in respect of child contact and domestic violence; [97741]

(2) when the second survey of guidelines on domestic violence and contact will be available; and if she will place a copy in the Library. [97740]

Ms Rosie Winterton

The report on the second survey to monitor the "Children Act Sub-Committee Guidelines for Good Practice on Parental Contact in Cases where there is Domestic Violence" will be available at the end of March 2003. A copy will be laid in the Library of both Houses. No other recent guidance in respect of child contact and domestic violence has been issued.