Irish Independent - Wednesday July 06 2011

Laws extended to protect domestic violence victims

By Tom Brady Security Editor

MORE victims of domestic violence are to get legal protection.

Domestic violence legislation is being extended to ensure the law can be used against a wider range of offenders.

Under the proposed changes, at present before the Dail, a parent will be able to apply for a safety order against the other parent of a child.

Other amendments being introduced will allow similar protections for unmarried opposite-sex couples and same-sex couples, who have not registered a civil partnership.

Couples will also no longer need to have lived together for a minimum period before one of them can obtain a safety order.