Where there are failings in protecting victims of domestic violence, accountability is crucial. Violence against women is a fundamental violation of women’s human rights and the Supreme Court’s judgment provides timely reaffirmation of the importance of human rights protections for victims of domestic violence. The Human Rights Act has a vital role to play in this. If it was not for the Human Rights Act, the family of Joanna Michael would have no prospect of obtaining accountability for Joanna’s death.