PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Armed Forces: Domestic Abuse (10 March 2015)

Domestic violence is a very important issue and we treat allegations of domestic violence very seriously. Where an allegation of domestic violence is made to the Service police and they retain jurisdiction, they will investigate the matter fully; or, if an allegation is being investigated by the Civil police, the Service police will provide assistance as required. However, domestic violence is not a crime classification, but can be recorded under the crime classification of violence; for example battery, assault or grievous bodily harm. For the Service police to establish which of such recorded offences are as a result of domestic violence would require an individual review of all cases, which could be provided only at disproportionate cost.