HIGH risk domestic abuse offenders will have to pass lie detectors tests or face being thrown back into jail, under fresh plans from Government to support victims.

Theresa May’s domestic violence bill being launched today will also stop sick abusers being able to cross examine their victims in family courts.

New Domestic Abuse Protection Orders or DAPOs will also force offenders to attend rehab programmes if they’re abusing alcohol or drugs.

There are at least 2 million people who become victims of domestic abuse every year with the economic and social cost of abuse in England and Wales reaching £66billion in 2016-17.

That includes the cost to the NHS as well as police and victim support services.

The Ministry of Justice said the changes were part of a Government package to tackle domestic abuse and the draft Bill published today aims to support victims and their families as well as pursue offenders.

The Bill will include a pilot scheme for certain domestic abuse offenders to be subject to polygraph testing as a condition of their licence following their release from custody.

Crime and safeguarding minister Victoria Atkins said: “I have heard absolutely heart-breaking accounts of victims whose lives have been ripped apart because of physical, emotional or economic abuse they have suffered by someone close to them.

“The draft Domestic Abuse Bill recognises the complex nature of these horrific crimes and puts the needs of victims and their families at the forefront.

“This Government is absolutely committed to shining a light on domestic abuse to ensure this hidden crime does not remain in the shadows.”

The new legislation will introduce the first statutory Government definition of domestic abuse to include economic abuse and non-physical controlling and manipulative abuse.

A domestic abuse commissioner will be appointed to drive the response to domestic abuse issues with special measures to support more victims to give evidence in the criminal courts.

Justice Secretary David Gauke said: “Domestic abuse destroys lives and warrants some of the strongest measures at our disposal to deter offenders and protect victims.

“That is why we are barring abusers from cross-examining their victims in the family courts - a practice which can cause immense distress and amount to a continuation of abuse - and giving courts greater powers, including new protection orders, to tackle this hideous crime.”

But Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott added: “On average two women a week are killed by a current or former partner. Survivors of domestic violence have been made to wait too long for this Bill.”

Sandra Horley of the charity Refuge, welcomed the bill.

She said: “Refuge staff deal with the human misery of domestic violence every day. The cost to women and children’s lives is devastating.

“But now the immense cost to the taxpayer has been laid bare, too. Domestic violence is truly everybody’s business.”

Katie Ghose, chief executive of Women’s Aid, added: “That domestic abuse costs society £66 billion a year and the lives of on average two women a week in England and Wales should be a wake-up call for us all.

“Now is the time to bring it out into the spotlight and address the impact of domestic abuse properly once and for all.”