Law stopping sex-life being used as defence against murder welcomed by family of Grace Millane

The family of a University of Lincoln Graduate have welcome new laws that ban a defence against murder, which delves into somebody's sex-life in court.

Grace Millane was strangled after a Tinder Date in New Zealand, with her killer claiming it was a 'sex game gone wrong'.

The Domestic Abuse Bill's now been approved, which makes the defence unacceptable.

Her cousin, Hannah O'Callaghan, says it was awful hearing such personal details being made public.

"It was truly horrendous, and it is horrendous now.

"She was on trial and not there to defend herself.

"Family, friends, everybody had to listen to Grace’s private life and things that may or may not have happened.

"No family should go through that."

She's proud of all the campaigning that has gone into the new law.

"We are so truly overjoyed that this bill has come in, not just for ourselves, but for the future.

"This means that this cannot be used in defence again so you can’t use it to try and get away with murder essentially, let’s call it what it is, you can’t consent to your own murder.

"I think this is certainly a positive that has come out of our negative, yeah, if Grace is behind some of this change, then that’s got to be a positive."

Grazia Magazine has also campaigned for it to be included in the legislation after working with the group We Can't Consent To This (WCCTT)

Writer Rhiannon Evans told us: "While it might seem the rough sex defence is something that doesn't happen that often, its is something that could affect any woman at anytime. It's an important law change and we're glad to say men cannot do this anymore."

Fiona McKenzie from WCCTT says the new rules must be enforced: "It's so important police are trained in this, that they're given the resources to investigate and there are clear pathways for women to report, and that has to happen all the way through - police, prosecutors, judges, the whole criminal justice system has to work together."

It's all part of the new Domestic Abuse Bill.

The bill, protect people in harmful relationships, has just been signed into law.

For the first time in history there will be a wide-ranging legal definition of domestic abuse which incorporates a range of abuses beyond physical violence, including

• Emotional control

• Coercive or controlling behaviour

• Economic abuse

The measures include important new protections and support for victims ensuring that abusers will no longer be allowed to directly cross-examine their victims in the family and civil courts, and giving victims better access to special measures in the courtroom to help prevent intimidation – such as protective screens and giving evidence via video link.

Under the Domestic Abuse Act Police will be given new powers including:

• Domestic Abuse Protection Notices providing victims with immediate protection from abusers

• Courts will be able to hand out new Domestic Abuse Protection Orders to help prevent offending by forcing perpetrators to take steps to change their behaviour, including seeking mental health support or drug and alcohol rehabilitation.

Act given Royal Assent

Speaking on the new law, Home Secretary Priti Patel said:

“Domestic abuse and violence against women and girls are utterly shameful. As Home Secretary, I am determined to work tirelessly to keep vulnerable people safe and bring crime down.

“The Domestic Abuse Act is long overdue. This landmark Act will transform the support we offer across society. This includes the support Government provides to victims to ensure they have the protection they rightly need, so that perpetrators of these abhorrent crimes are brought to justice.”

Helplines

You can find out more about where to turn if you, or someone you know, is in an abusive relationship.

See the Refuge website for more information or call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247

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• Abuse
• domesticabuse