CPS

We aim to respond appropriately to the needs of all victims of domestic violence regardless of their gender or that of their abuser. We believe that people have a right to feel safe and be safe in their personal relationships and in their sexual orientation.

When prosecuting cases of domestic violence, our definition is: “Any criminal offence arising out of physical, sexual, psychological, emotional or financial abuse by one person against a current or former partner in a close relationship, or against a current or former family member.”

This definition includes all forms of violent and controlling behaviour, for example harassment, assault or threats. Further examples can be seen at Annex A of our policy on Prosecuting Cases of Domestic Violence

We regard domestic violence as particularly serious because there is often a continuing threat to the victim’s safety and, in the worst cases, the victim’s life and the lives of others (including children’s) may be at risk. When we are deciding whether or not to prosecute, the safety of the victim, children and any other vulnerable person involved, will be a priority for us.

We know that barriers exist that may make it difficult for some members of the LGBT communities to report offences or to support the prosecution. We want to create an environment in which those affected by domestic violence have the confidence to report what has happened and to support any prosecution that follows. We welcome suggestions that will help us to do this.

What should you do, if you do not get the treatment to which you are entitled_

Complain. You are entitled to complain and you should do so.

If you wish to complain about the way in which a case was handled, you should write to the CPS office that dealt with it, including as much information as possible – such as the name of the defendant, which court dealt with the case, the date of the hearing and any reference numbers you might have.

If you are not satisfied with the reply you receive from the local office, you should contact the Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Area. He or she will take up your complaint and write back to you. The address of your local CPS Area Headquarters can obtained from your local CPS office.

If you still feel your complaint has not been satisfactorily dealt with, you should contact CPS Customer Service Unit, 50 Ludgate Hill, London EC4M 7EX. Tel 020 7796 8092. Or, e-mail: Your complaint will then be dealt with by the Director of Public Prosecutions or by the Chief Executive who will consider personally how your complaint should be handled.

If you do not feel able to make a formal complaint in this way, please consider filling in the confidential form on this website, which will be passed to me. Depending on the circumstances of the complaint, I may not be able to deal with the specific individual case, but if the complaint highlights a deficiency in our policy, practices or procedures I will take whatever action is necessary to address the issue.

Nadine Tilbury, CPS Domestic Violence Policy Lead Adviser, Criminal Justice Policy Division, Crown Prosecution Service Headquarters.