This means that the Domestic Abuse (Jersey) Law 2022, which was previously approved by members in April, will come into force on Wednesday 21 June.
The new legislation will class domestic abuse as a specific offence where both parties are personally connected, they are aged 16 or over and on more than one occasion one person is abusive to another.
The offence is punishable by up to five years imprisonment and an unlimited fine.
The law also strengthens protection for survivors by giving courts new powers to impose Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs) and notification requirements on those convicted of domestic abuse or similar offences.
This is intended as a form of risk prevention, following the same structure as the Sex Offenders Law, and the court may order such a person to provide police with relevant details or any relevant changes.
The legislation further allows a court to treat the involvement of a child as an aggravating factor in sentencing.
Coercive or controlling behaviour will for the first time be defined as domestic abuse, catering for a situation whereby someone is made dependent or subordinate to another, or is isolated, controlled or regulated or restricted.
It also includes acts committed outside of Jersey if the offender is usually resident in Jersey.
Pictured: Home Affairs Minister Helen Miles said the legislation had been a key priority for her in the past year.
Home Affairs Minister Helen Miles said: “The legislation is a critical step forward in addressing domestic abuse in Jersey, by strengthening legal protections and providing additional support for survivors and sends a clear message that domestic abuse will not be tolerated.”
“Domestic Abuse is deeply damaging, invidious behaviour, and we know that it causes much harm in our community.”
In 2021, there were 1,151 recorded domestic abuse incidents in the Island and 431 crimes associated with domestic abuse.
It accounts for 15% of all recorded crime.
Deputy Miles added: “We are working closely with the Violence Against Women and Girls Taskforce to identify any further resources, additional legislative reforms and required methods of protection, and I look forward to their forthcoming report findings and recommendations.”
Lisa Leventhal, the chief executive of Jersey Women’s Refuge said: “It’s a step in the right direction and a great comfort to women who know that they are in relationships that are controlling and coercive and that this abuse is now a criminal offence. The law will be incredibly important as a deterrent.”
However, Ms Leventhal added that guidance would need to be provided to the Law Officers’ department for the legislation to be effectively used.
She said: “You don’t know how they will interpret this law and the evidential threshold can be a challenge. It worries me that there is no guidance around that.”