THE Specialist Domestic Violence Court is celebrating an impressive record achieved in five years.

The Wigan-based court has been the subject of two BBC documentaries featured on the One Show and the Inside Out programme and been recognised by the Home Office as a beacon of good practice.

It has received recognition for both its high conviction rate (generally over 80%) and good practices to support victims.

Karen Mitchell, Deputy Justices’ Clerk at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates’ Court, who chairs the Steering Group, said: “There has been a massive change in how domestic violence cases are dealt with.

"The Police have a specialist Domestic Violence Unit to provide support for victims from the moment an incident is reported. There are also independent trained professionals to assist high risk victims with any issues they have whether it be housing, child issues, the need for support at court or whatever their individual needs are.

"The court has a new separate witness waiting area with video link facilities so that the victim does not even have to appear in the same room as the defendant. If the case goes to trial, Witness Service volunteers can arrange for the victim to attend court through a separate private entrance and remain with them even whilst they give evidence."

Victim Emma, testified to the vast improvement experienced by victims since the domestic violence court was set up. After years of abuse from her husband, she finally decided to prosecute him after he beat her with a wrought iron curtain pole.

She said: “I wouldn’t have had the courage to bring the case if it hadn’t been for the specialist court. Everything centred around me and was tailored to my needs.

"I gave evidence behind a screen which made me feel a million times better. It still wasn’t a pleasant experience but I felt so much more comfortable in the specialist court.”

The lead specialist prosecutor is Debbie Parry, a finalist in the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain contest for her work on domestic violence.

She prosecutes most of the domestic violence cases at the Wigan Court.

Debbie said: “Cases are prioritised to keep delays to a minimum so the victim is less likely to retract. A decision to prosecute lies with the prosecutor not the victim but victims prefer this as they no longer feel to blame for the abuser being held to account.”

All magistrates who sit in the domestic violence court have received specialist training.

Barbara Finney, former Chairman of the Bench, said: “The training has certainly changed attitudes. There is now appreciation of the fact that within the borough, domestic violence levels are high.

"While more women are victims than men, we have seen the whole spectrum of perpetrators here.”

Keith Berry, a magistrate who sits in the domestic violence court, summed up the achievement of the specialist court.

“It is the best thing that has ever happened. Previously, many cases just wouldn’t have made it to court. Those that did were withdrawn because the victim retracted. Now victims no longer need to suffer in silence.”

For more information or to observe the domestic violence court in action, contact Alison Tunnicliffe on 01942 828111.