The CPS has a number of guidance documents for prosecutors on the management of domestic violence prosecutions. This document consolidates the two key documents currently available, providing assistance to decision makers in a streamlined and better structured way.
The guidance sets out a number of key issues which update the existing documents, explaining why prosecutors should take the approaches detailed. In particular, the document sets out:
a detailed context of domestic violence and information decision makers will need to understand about the nature of offending, following the Government’s change in definition to include coercive and controlling behaviour;
streamlined and focused operational practices for decision makers when considering the evidential and public interest stages of the Full Code Test in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors;
the approach prosecutors are encouraged to consider when handling cases where the victim has indicated they are not willing to support or continue with a prosecution; and,
detailed considerations in relation to specific groups of people.