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Hundreds of domestic abuse victims face jail under new law

Women who call police to help deal with abusive partners are being criminalised for assaulting emergency workers

Hundreds of domestic abuse victims face jail under new law
A female prison guard in HMP Styal, a woman's prison in north west England. | In Pictures Ltd./Corbis via Getty Images
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When Jane’s* abusive ex-partner turned up at her house and began “screaming abuse” and “threatening her”, she called the police.

But when officers arrived, they said they couldn’t do anything as, despite her ex being stood opposite her home, he was technically outside of the restraining order area.

“I got angry and kicked off,” Jane told the Prison Reform Trust charity. “So they arrested me.”