A SPECIALIST domestic violence court in the East End has been officially accredited by the Home Office. The Thames Specialist Domestic Violence Court at Thames Magistrates Court in Bow Road, which offers domestic violence victims a tailor-made service, h

A SPECIALIST domestic violence court in the East End has been officially accredited by the Home Office.

The Thames Specialist Domestic Violence Court at Thames Magistrates' Court in Bow Road, which offers domestic violence victims a tailor-made service, has met 12 Government-set criteria.

The court has separate entrances and waiting facilities for victims and witnesses, specially-trained independent domestic violence advisers and magistrates who also trained to deal with domestic violence cases.

Tower Hamlets council's community safety chief Andy Bamber said: "The domestic violence court has been a real success, protecting victims and bringing abusers to justice.

"The accreditation means that the court is working well. We hope the newly accredited court will give people who suffer from domestic violence the confidence and the support they need to get out of the situation and seek justice."

The accreditation follows a total of 115 domestic violence trials, resulting in 21 prison sentences and 14 restraining orders for perpetrators, since the court opened in October 2009.

Running every Thursday, the court makes sure that offenders are brought to justice more swiftly and effectively.

It is supported by Tower Hamlets and Hackney councils, Her Majesty's Court Service, the Crown Prosecution Service, the police, London Probation, and Victim Support.