Zero tolerance has not brought domestic violence down

Zero tolerance has not brought domestic violence down

There is no correlation between how strongly zero tolerance to domestic violence is applied and the number of repeat offences. This is according to a report by the National Criminology and Crime Institute (INCC), which was ordered by the College of General Prosecutors, La Libre Belgique reported on Friday.

In Belgium, a memo demanding a strong and rapid reaction to domestic violence was distributed. The INCC’s figures show that 38% of the suspects in these cases appear in court again, because they have hit, threatened or harassed their partner. But there is no correlation between the rate of repeat offences and how strongly zero tolerance is applied.

The study shows that 70% of cases where the suspect is charged are classed as No follow up or No decision (5%). The No follow up classification is used when the situation is “resolved”. No sentence is handed down in more than 1 in 3 cases (34%).

(Source: Belga)


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