Victims have more time to report domestic abuse in England and Wales

Interior Minister Priti Patel agreed to change the law to allow victims of domestic abuse more time to report to the police, according to the BBC.

Victims of alleged common assaults involving abuse currently have six months from the time of the incident.

But Ms. Patel agreed to extend the period up to two years.

It comes after the BBC revealed that 13,000 cases in England and Wales had been closed in five years because the six-month limit was breached.

Common assault cases include things like a push, threatening words, or spit at and are normally dealt with in the magistrates’ court.

Victims of common domestic assaults are sometimes reluctant to come forward and cases can be complex, which is why activists say the police should be given more time before they need to file a complaint.

A government spokesperson said all allegations should be investigated and prosecuted where possible and that money has been invested in supporting the victims of such crimes during the pandemic.

Three-quarters of all domestic abuse cases, including sexual assaults, are closed early without the suspect being charged, according to a report by Her Majesty’s police inspector.

And only 1.6% of rape allegations in England and Wales result in someone being charged – something the government said it was “deeply ashamed of.”