Petition · Ministry of Justice

Make Domestic Abuse a specific offence with a minimum 2 year custodial sentence

Open for signatures 22 signatures

What the petition asks

1. A minimum 2 year custodial sentence for anyone charged with ‘domestic abuse’. Make this a specific standalone offence.
2. Sentences for additional / related offences should not run concurrently
3. Remove prosecution time limits.
4. Create a public Domestic Abuser Register.
Today, a DA-related call is made to the police every 30 seconds. What we find more shocking is that as of 2026, in England & Wales, DA in itself is not a specific punishable offence like it is in Scotland. We currently do charge for assault, non-fatal strangulation etc. Good start! However, what this means in practice though doesn’t seem as good. This fails to call out the abuse that both men and women may be taking at home. The is evidence suggesting that 80% DA cases aren’t reported.

Timeline

2 Jul 2026 Petition opened for signatures

Key facts

Signatures 22
Status Open for signatures
Department Ministry of Justice
Opened 2 Jul 2026

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.