Domestic Abuse and Covid-19: The Legal Challenges

At a time when the home is presented as a place of safety in the face of Covid-19, there are major concerns that forced confinement is exacerbating the risks posed to victims of domestic abuse. Increased isolation, coupled with more limited opportunities to seek support, are presenting unprecedented challenges for victims and for the law in responding to domestic abuse. This paper takes as its focus these legal challenges, focusing particularly on the situation in the UK. It opens by addressing the implications for domestic abuse victims of the restrictions in movement. It then assesses the capacity of the criminal offence of coercive or controlling behaviour to respond to the rise in domestic abuse. It also explores the recent move to remote hearings within the family justice system, and associated access to justice concerns.