'Time to educate everyone about domestic abuse' says minister

One year on from new legislation to protect victims 

More needs to be done to educate people on the Isle of Man about the importance of having healthy relationships.

That’s the view of the Department of Home Affairs a year after new legislation – designed to protect against domestic abuse – was brought into force.

On 4 January 2023 the Domestic Abuse Act 2020 was introduced after many years in the making.

It meant, for the first time in history, the Island had specific laws to target those people committing domestic abuse or violence.

On 8 February 2023 the first person facing prosecution, under the act, appeared at Douglas Courthouse.

You can find out more HERE.

Since then:

• 11 individuals have been convicted and sentenced for domestic abuse offences
• 7 individuals are awaiting trial accused of domestic abuse offences
• 2 individuals have been convicted and are awaiting sentencing for domestic abuse offences
• 2 individuals are currently under police investigation for domestic abuse offences
• 18 Domestic Abuse Protection Notices have been issued
• 15 Domestic Abuse Protection Orders have been issued

Domestic abuse is defined as the behaviour, or behaviours, of a person towards another person if they are personally connected to each other and that behaviour is abusive.

It can consist of any of the following and does not matter whether it’s a single incident or a repeated course of conduct:

• Physical or sexual abuse
• Violent of threatening behaviour
• Controlling or coercive behaviour
• Economic abuse
• Psychological, emotional or other abuse

Police can also apply for the use of a Domestic Abuse Protection Notice and a Domestic Abuse Protection Order.

These are designed to provide victims with immediate protection following an incident.

There are still some elements of the Domestic Abuse Act 2020 which are not yet in force – including the tagging of offenders in some circumstances.

Justice and Home Affairs Minister Jane Poole-Wilson told Manx Radio that although she believes the legislation has been a success there is more work still to be done:

If you would like more information about domestic abuse and where to find help and support please click HERE.