Britain is set to introduce a new law on domestic violence with sweeping new powers to allow the courts to impose a "stay-away" order on partners of individuals claiming to be the victims of domestic violence even when the alleged perpetrator is found innocent.

The solicitor-general, Harriet Harman, said

We often talk in government about the importance of diverting offenders - particularly young offenders - out of the criminal justice system earlier.

In this case, we want more offenders diverted into the criminal justice system at an early stage... Because then we can ensure that their behaviour is addressed and they receive the appropriate punishment for their crime

Of course she completely misses the point that these people she is diverting into the criminal justice system are not offenders, they were found innocent. Like Australia and the US, the presumption of innocence underpins the UK criminal justice system. (We have seen it cast aside with gay abandon by the US with the prisoners at Guantanamo Bay but they don't count, they are not people after all, they are illegal combatants)

Ms Harmon is also quoted as saying

This will offer real protection to victims

This is complete fiction as anyone working in this field will know. In Australia, and UK is probably the same, roughly 97% of all protection orders are breached.

Given this, it may deliver a lot more people to prison but it won't protect the actual victims. Sadly, the bill will also be used by unscrupulous women to prevent caring fathers gaining access to their children.

Still we all know that polititians live in faerie land and their statements are more about being good "sound bites" than anything else don't we?

Read more on the new Domestic Violence Laws in The Guardian.