Ministers have announced plans for specialist courts across Sussex which will help thousands of victims of domestic violence get a better deal out of the justice system.

The new courts - featuring separate entrances for victims and their alleged attackers and presided over by magistrates who are experts in the field - are designed to address a worrying under-reporting of domestic crime.

Magistrates courts in Brighton, Hastings, Eastbourne, Lewes, Worthing and Crawley will house new Specialist Domestic Violence Courts (SDVCs).

Cases will be clustered on a particular day or fast-tracked through the system, limiting the likelihood of further incidents and support and advice from independent domestic violence advisers will be offered.

Brighton Kemptown MP Des Turner said: "This is a very welcome development. Sadly domestic violence is a problem in Brighton and Hove, just as it is pretty much everywhere.

"Under reporting of domestic violence and many other related sorts of crime is a big issue and if people are confident that they will get a proper response if they raise complaints they are more likely to do so."

Jessica Taylor, manager of Safe as Houses, which works with victims of domestic violence in East Brighton and is part of the Women's Refuge Project, said Brighton Magistrates' Court had been operating as a SDVC once a week since August.

She said: "It is really important to offer this kind of service to victims and survivors of domestic abuse as it helps the court to realise the importance of this issue in our society.

"Research has shown having these services increases the rate of prosecutions and helps society to realise that domestic abuse is a crime.

"It also helps to increase trust and confidence in the criminal justice system for people affected by domestic violence."

There are now 98 SDVCs nationally.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "Improving the support available to the courageous victims of these devastating crimes is crucial in encouraging people to come forward.

"The success and expansion of the Specialist Domestic Violence Courts system will ensure that we continue to bring more perpetrators to justice and improve the support and safety of victims.

"We have made good progress on domestic violence over the last ten years but we know there is more to do and I want to reassure women everywhere that keeping them safe from harm is a top Government priority."

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