Timeline of Laws

Timeline of English and Welsh laws that had an effect on domestic violence

The English and Welsh legal system originated during the reign of King Henry the Second between 1154 to 1189. Many local laws became national laws which all citizens had to abide by. England and Wales operate a common law system which combines the passing of legislation, and also through precedents set by judges during cases. Most laws are established by the passing of legislation of Parliament which consists of the Monarch, the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

1800s:

1857

    Matrimonial Causes Act 

In order to file for a divorce, women had to prove their husband's adultery and also that he had treated her cruelly, deserted her, committed incest or bigamy. 

1857

Rule of Thumb 

 A man could beat his wife, as long as the rod he used was no thicker than his thumb.

1860

Law of Coverture

A wife had to give up her separate identity under the law once married and her husband had complete legal and economic control over her.

1895

Curfew on Wife Beating

Wife beating was prohibited between the hours of 10pm to 7am because it was a disruption to neighbours who were trying to sleep.

1900s:

1937

Matrimonial Causes Act

It extended the grounds of divorce to adultery alone, cruelty, desertion or insanity. 

1948 

UN adopts universal declaration of human rights

 It is is considered the most basic international foundation for tackling violence against women.

1976

The Domestic Violence and Matrimonial Proceedings Act 

The first piece of legislation aimed at preventing domestic abuse and it gave victims new rights by offering civil protection orders.

1991

R V R - House of Lords

It became illegal for a man to rape his wife. Before this, sexual abuse would have been unlikely to be seen as domestic abuse. 

1993

Violence against women was recognised as a violation as human rights

It was the first international declaration explicitly addressing violence against women.

1996

The Housing (Homeless Persons) Act

Victims of domestic violence would be given support if they became homeless after leaving their abusers.

1997

The Protection from Harassment Act

Introduced originally to deal with the issue of stalking.

1997

The Sex Offenders Act

Created the sex offenders list to act as a warning to others that these individuals could be a danger to the public.

2000s:

2002

Section 120 - Adoption and Children Act 

A child's health could be affected by watching ill-treatment being inflicted on others, such as domestic abuse in the family.

2004

Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act

The biggest overhaul of the law on domestic violence in the last 30 years.

2015

Serious Crime Act

Help to stop FGM and looks at controlling and coercive behaviour in relationships.

2017

The Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence Act

 It sets out minimum standards on prevention, protection, prosecution and services and states that countries ratifying the Convention must establish services such as hotlines, shelters, medical services, counselling and legal aid.

Although these are not all the laws that have been made in England and Wales with sections surrounding domestic abuse, they are the ones I believe have been the most significant into preventing domestic violence through the years. The main purpose of these Acts are to prevent abuse or appear to be helping victims. However, it is unlikely that any act could ever fully prevent domestic violence fully in society.