nd easy to follow guideline on how to deal with domestic abuse cases. This was later updated in 1995. It emphasized the desirability of prosecuting cases of domestic violence and made particular mention of how the CPS should proceed if a woman decides she wants to withdraw her support for prosecution. (which is in fact a major problem in charging men with domestic violence). Only this week new proposals have been made by Jack Straw to deal with the withdrawing of support from the victim. If these guidelines go through it would help in the fight against violence as, even if the victim decides not to pursue her attacker, the police can follow through the charge with or without her help. This, in short means that even if the man sweet talks his wife/girlfriend etc into dropping the charges the police can go ahead and charge him anyway. This will help the courts in the sentencing of violent men. The CPS is involved in Home Office-led pilots of One Stop Shops for victims of violent crime where they can be kept up to date with the progress of their case, and Victim Statements, which allow the victim to provide information on the impact which the offence has had on them. Domestic violence is included as a case category within these pilot schemes. Many CPS areas also have representatives who participate in local domestic violence forums; also, the CPS victims/witness care national training program is currently being developed in consultation with Victim Support and will include the specific needs of victims of domestic violence. Domestic violence is also central to the Probation Services core functions of crime reduction, public protection and victim contact. It is also a critical factor in Family Court Welfare work and any other work requiring child protection procedures. The probation service recognizes the importance of this and undertakes work both directly with perpetrators and in support of those who have survived violence. In 1996 ACOP P...
