Eastleigh resident's petition on domestic abuse to be debated in Parliament
The petition calls for an end to sentence reductions for late-stage guilty pleas in controlling or coercive behaviour cases
An Eastleigh resident's petition calling for an end to sentence reductions for late-stage guilty pleas in cases of controlling or coercive behaviour is to be debated in Parliament today.
Paris Shears, from Eastleigh, is a victim of domestic abuse, and called for the debate through an online petition which passed 100,000 signatures in less than five weeks.
The proposed change, named Paris' Law, will be debated in Westminster.
Paris Shears said: “In these cases, the fear and uncertainty of a trial can prolong the psychological harm of the abuse.
"The person who caused that harm can maintain control through the process, then still benefit from changing their plea at the last moment.
“Walking into the court building was the heaviest walk of my life.
"I was traumatised and terrified, ready to face the trial.
"Before I reached the courtroom, he changed his plea and still received the benefit of a reduction in his sentence.
"That experience is why I couldn’t leave this issue alone.
"Paris’s Law is about making sure a late plea doesn’t erase the fear and harm a survivor has already been made to carry.”
Liz Jarvis, the MP for Eastleigh, is backing the debate.
She said: "It cannot be that an abuser can plead not guilty for most of their trial and then receive a reduced sentence after changing their plea right at the end.
"I’m so proud of Paris for fighting to change the system.
“I will be at the debate on Monday, and I hope the Minister listens to Paris and gives her reassurance that other victims will not have to go through the same traumatic experience.”
If you’re affected by issues raised in this article, there is help available from your local domestic abuse service at www.womensaid.org.uk.
· The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is 0808 2000 247 (run by Refuge)
· The Men’s Advice Line, for male domestic abuse survivors is 0808 801 0327 (run by Respect)
· The National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline is 0800 999 5428 (run by Galop)
If you are in immediate danger always call 999.