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Your roundup of local and national
domestic abuse stories
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Serial domestic abuser Craig Harkins jailed for 12 years
A serial domestic abuser who raped his partner in a bathroom while her children shouted through the door has been jailed for 12 years. Craig Harkins, 40, was convicted in February of a catalogue of offences involving four different partners. The High Court in Glasgow heard he raped two of the woman and repeatedly physically assaulted all four. The offences took place between 2006 and 2019 at locations in Glasgow and South Lanarkshire.
-BBC News
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Domestic violence victim denied legal aid seeks judicial review
A victim of domestic violence, who is surviving on universal credit but has been denied legal aid in a battle to hold on to her home, is challenging strict regulations that could force her to cross-examine her former partner in court. The woman, known as Claire (not her real name), has launched a judicial review of the refusal to provide funding made by the Legal Aid Agency (LAA). Without legal aid, she cannot pay for a lawyer and will have no option but to represent herself. Her challenge will be heard in the high court on Tuesday. LAA regulations take into account any so-called trapped capital in the home she jointly owns with her ex-partner when assessing her eligibility to legal aid.
-The Guardian
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Victms of Domestic Abuse on Yorkshire Coast Urged to Come Forward
As lockdown restrictions ease, Humberside Police is reaching out to victims of domestic abuse, to encourage them to get in touch so that it can help. It says protecting victims – no matter what their gender or relationship to their abuser – continues to be one of its highest priorities. And while it says it’s doing everything it can to help and support those it knows to be at risk, officers are concerned that there are other victims out there who have felt unable to let them know they’re in danger.
-Yorkshire Coast Radio
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Essex schools will now be told if a child lives with domestic abuse at home
More Essex schools will be told if domestic abuse is taking place at pupils’ homes, after a pilot scheme proved successful. Operation Encompass allows Essex Police to inform schools if a child has been present, or ordinarily resides, at an address where a medium risk domestic abuse incident has occurred. It was launched as a pilot in Thurrock in January, but following positive feedback from schools it will be rolled out around the county during the 2020/21 academic year. Police and crime commissioner Roger Hirst said the force’s efforts to protect victims are working, but stressed it needed to be extra mindful of domestic abuse that is likely to have been hidden from the police due to the Covid-19 lockdown.
-Essex Live
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Borders told: ‘Look out for signs of domestic abuse’
THE NHS Borders boss is urging people to “keep their eyes and ears open” for signs of domestic abuse. Ralph Roberts wants neighbours to look out for each other and report anything worrying He said: “If you see or hear something that worries you, trust your instincts and tell someone. “It may be nothing, or it may be the best thing you could ever do for them.” The message comes alongside appeals from Police Scotland and Scottish Borders Council (SBC). SBC chief executive Tracey Logan says people suffering abuse can continue to get help throughout the coronavirus crisis.
-Border Telegraph
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