THE Government is set to launch a review into the “Fifty shades” rough sex defence used by killers to dodge murder convictions.
Campaigners welcomed the news which will be brought forward alongside the new Domestic Abuse Bill – which will be re-introduced to Parliament today.
Natalie Connolly, 26, was killed by John Broadhurst who used the rough sex defence and was found guilty of manslaughter rather than murder
Mum-of-two Charlotte Teeling, 33, was strangled to death by Richard Bailey during sex ‘for his own satisfaction’
A grieving dad whose daughter was killed by a sex-mad thug welcomed the Government’s review.
Alan Andrews, 52, has been invited to the House of Commons for today’s landmark event after his daughter Natalie Connolly, 26, was killed by millionaire property developer, John Broadhurst.
Broadhurst, 42, used the defence, and was found guilty of manslaughter rather than murder and was jailed for less than four years.
Natalie is among 60 UK women to have lost their lives at the hands of men who claimed their victims consented to violent sex.
The number of accused men using the ‘50 Shades’ defence – so-called after the hit S&M-themed franchise – has rocketed since 2000, campaigners say.
‘LURID AND FALSE’ CLAIMS
Speaking to HOAR, Mr Andrews said: “This is brilliant news and it’s not a day too soon.
“No woman ever consents to being violently injured or killed during sex. I know Natalie certainly did not consent to being brutally hurt.
“The law as it stands enables these killers to blame their crimes on innocent women, knowing that their victims can’t challenge their lies.
“We are so grateful that something is going to be done about it at long last.
“Hopefully, the amended bill will go through and other grieving families won’t have to endure lurid and false claims being brought out in court.”
Natalie’s grieving father Alan Andrews called for the plea to be outlawed
Alan says he’s grateful that something is being done at last and hopes the amended bill means ‘other grieving families won’t have to endure lurid and false claims being brought out in court’
The review is being brought alongside the new ramped up Domestic Abuse Bill.
An earlier version of the bill – which did not include all these new powers – was introduced under Theresa May’s government.
It will force councils to put up victims of domestic abuse, in a major victory for HOAR’s Give Me Shelter campaign.
Councils will have a legal requirement to find safe accommodation for women and their children under the new bill, while also introducing Domestic Abuse Protection Orders to impose tough conditions on abusers.
It will also include powers to stop ‘tech abuse’ – where abusers use home devices and smart devices to control their victims as well as ‘economic abuse’ where abusers control cash, work and other basic things to live life.
Abusers will also be banned from cross-examining their victims in the family courts and will apply to all family proceedings where there is evidence of domestic abuse.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “An astonishing 2.4million people in England and Wales have suffered domestic abuse.
“That is unacceptable, and the reason why it is so important to shine a light on this crime.
“The Domestic Abuse Bill is a monumental step to empower victims and survivors, provide protection and tackle perpetrators at the earliest stage.
“Through this Bill and bolstering law enforcement, we will be able to keep millions of victims safe.”
Sandra Horley CBE, Chief Executive of national domestic abuse charity Refuge said: “Refuge welcomes the re-introduction of the Domestic Abuse Bill, which is significantly enhanced by the addition of a legal duty on local authorities to provide refuge accommodation.
“This Bill offers the government a real opportunity to transform the response to domestic abuse in this country, but key to its success will be meeting this duty with adequate funding, so that no woman or child is ever turned away when seeking safety.”
And Adina Claire, Acting co-CEO of Women’s Aid, said: “With the number of women killed by men at a fourteen-year high, the return of the Domestic Abuse Bill to parliament is welcome.
“Crucially, the legal duty on local authorities could be life-saving, and we will continue to call on the government to deliver a secure funding future for specialist women’s services to support this new legal duty.”
