Commons Sense

House of Commons · Adjournment Debate

Black Women: Domestic Abuse

30 June 2020 · 2 other contributors

Opened by Meg Hillier Labour (Co-op) Hackney South and Shoreditch

Crime & Law EnforcementWomen & EqualitiesLocal Government

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Meg Hillier raised concerns about black women: domestic abuse in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about disproportionate impact of domestic violence on black, minority ethnic, and migrant women due to funding cuts to local specialist services.
  • The MP highlighted the 'no recourse to public funds' provision as a barrier for victims seeking refuge and stressed the need for tailored community-based services.
  • The Minister noted the Government's commitment with 100 million funding and reintroduction of the Domestic Abuse Bill, focusing on breaking down barriers for BAME women to access services.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Meg Hillier Labour (Co-op) Hackney South and Shoreditch

The MP raised concerns about the disproportionate impact of domestic violence and domestic abuse on black, minority ethnic, and migrant women in her constituency. She highlighted funding cuts to local authorities that have led to a decrease in specialist services for these communities, stressing the importance of representation at policy levels and tailored support that reflects cultural differences. The speech also touched upon issues such as the 'no recourse to public funds' provision affecting victims seeking refuge and the need for community-based services rather than generic ones. Statistics were provided on reported domestic abuse offences in London, showing a 63% increase between 2011 and 2018.

Other contributors (2)
  • Jim Shannon

    Expressed support for the need to fund women’s services to ensure they are valued and have options available when living in fear.

  • Darren Henry Broxtowe

    Highlighted the stigma and shame within black communities regarding abuse, advocating for tailored services addressing cultural issues to empower victims to seek support.

Government Response

Alex Chalk

The Minister emphasised the Government’s commitment to tackling domestic violence by providing £100 million in funding over four years and reintroducing the Domestic Abuse Bill. He acknowledged the importance of community-based support, mentioning that funds are allocated through police and crime commissioners considering protected characteristics. The Minister discussed efforts to break down barriers for BAME women accessing services, such as ensuring diverse representation within government agencies and addressing specific needs. He also highlighted the need for a statutory definition of domestic abuse in legislation. The response concluded with an emphasis on ongoing cross-Government collaboration and partnerships with expert organisations.

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