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Domestic Abuse and Hidden Harms during Lockdown
14 January 2021
Lead MP
Victoria Atkins
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
Crime & Law EnforcementNHSWomen & EqualitiesChildren & Families
Other Contributors: 32
At a Glance
Victoria Atkins raised concerns about domestic abuse and hidden harms during lockdown in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
Crime & Law EnforcementNHSWomen & EqualitiesChildren & Families
Government Statement
The minister's statement emphasises the government's commitment to protecting victims of domestic abuse, child sexual exploitation, and modern slavery during the coronavirus pandemic. The announcement includes the launch of a new codeword scheme called Ask for ANI in pharmacies across the UK to help victims seek assistance discreetly. Additional funding of over £25 million has been distributed for frontline services against domestic abuse, with more than £11 million planned for further support. The Home Office also launched the #YouAreNotAlone campaign to raise awareness and provide information on where to access help. Special measures have been taken by the police and courts to continue prioritising these cases during lockdowns. Further efforts include funding for Barnardo’s See, Hear, Respond service and campaigns against online harms and child sexual abuse. The minister also mentioned forthcoming strategies to tackle violence against women and girls and combat all forms of child sexual abuse.
Victoria Atkins
Con
Louth and Horncastle
Question
The shadow Home Secretary inquired about the sufficiency of refuge capacity and support for specific victim groups such as black, Asian and minority ethnic individuals, migrants, LGBTQ+ members, males, and disabled people. She also sought information on safety measures for vulnerable children out of school and the extent of detached youth work being implemented.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledged concerns about refuge capacity and stated that discussions with refuges are ongoing to ensure adequate provision. Regarding specialised services, she confirmed that provisions exist for diverse victim groups but did not specify if these cover all areas or are limited by postcode lottery. She also mentioned the See, Hear, Respond scheme targeting 50,000 children as part of safety measures and noted the availability of independent child trafficking guardianship schemes in some regions.
Victoria Atkins
Con
Louth and Horncastle
Question
The shadow Home Secretary questioned whether multi-year funding has been discussed with the sector or Treasury to ensure sustainability during the pandemic, especially as frontline services face potential redundancies.
Minister reply
The Minister did not provide a direct commitment but highlighted existing measures like the £11 million additional funding and ongoing discussions with stakeholders. She emphasised the importance of multi-year planning for sustainable support.
Jess Phillips
Lab
Birmingham Yardley
Question
Welcomes the launch of Ask for ANI scheme but questions whether there is adequate support beyond initial phone calls. Criticises slow allocation and utilisation of £75 million in emergency financial support, noting only a third has reached frontline organisations to date. Raises concerns about refuge capacity, specialised services for diverse victims, protection measures for children, and sustainable funding for community services during the pandemic. Urges confirmation on multi-year funding.
Minister reply
Welcomes the scheme but acknowledges need for continuous review; £27 million committed across MHCLG, MOJ, Home Office. Announced additional £11 million funding to be allocated soon. Highlighted increase in safe accommodation spaces through spring charitable funding, adding nearly 1,900 new refuge places. Mentioned ongoing work with social care services and early help services for vulnerable children, investment in 'See, Hear, Respond' service and NCPCC helplines, and ICTGs roll-out across a third of local authorities.
Cheryl Gillan
Con
Chesham and Amersham
Question
Madam Deputy Speaker, you and I have both worked on this important policy area in the past, and I commend the Minister on her statement and the added protections she is putting in place. However, evidence is now becoming available that some of the people who are suffering most adversely in this lockdown are adults and children with autism. So that more appropriate and better services can be offered to them to alleviate their suffering, what data are the Government collecting on individuals and families with an autistic member suffering from domestic abuse, and the hidden harms the Minister has referred to, during this lockdown? If the answer is none, can this be remedied immediately? If that data is being collected, can it be published on a regular basis so that specialised support for this vulnerable group of adults and children can be improved?
Minister reply
My right hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise the needs of people living with autism and other such conditions, as she always does when the opportunity presents itself. I hope that she welcomes the mental health reforms that the Government have announced this week, which will be a real step forward in us all understanding the differences between autism and Asperger’s, and the ways in which they are wrongly treated at this point in time under the historic legislation. We recognise there is much room for improvement when it comes to data collection for victims with disabilities or health conditions, but we aim to address these issues.
Yvette Cooper
Lab
Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley
Question
Abusers exploit lockdowns to increase their control, so I welcome the “Ask for ANI” scheme, which the Home Affairs Committee called for. On the vital issue of funding for services, can the Minister explain whether the £11 million that she announced is the same £11 million announced for the second lockdown, or is there any additional funding for this difficult third lockdown? The domestic abuse commissioner called for funding to be extended beyond March. Can she tell us whether that is happening?
Minister reply
I thank the right hon. Lady and her Committee for their work in scrutinising Government activity in this area. I hope it was clear that the £11 million announced pertains to the financial year up until now, and we are working closely with domestic abuse services to understand their strains and pressures. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has committed £6 million to tier 1 local authorities for safe accommodation provisions under the new Bill.
Andrea Leadsom
Con
South Northamptonshire
Question
I know that my hon. Friend is aware that lockdown has been so challenging to new families with small babies; in certain tragic cases, it has been deadly to those babies and toddlers. The early years healthy development review that I am chairing on behalf of the Government has heard about the effect that lockdown has had on our very youngest. What steps is she taking to protect the youngest in our society from the effects of domestic violence?
Minister reply
I thank my right hon. Friend for her work on this vital piece of research and we are conscious of the pressures children face in abusive households, including pre-school children. We have provided £3 million to support affected children and are also working on programmes addressing perpetrator behaviour.
Ellie Reeves
Lab
Lewisham West and East Dulwich
Question
Between April and November last year, referrals from the NSPCC to police and social services about child abuse increased by 79%. Schools play an important role in identifying potential abuse, so with the current lockdown, this is likely to be harder to pick up on. With local authorities already facing considerable financial pressures, what extra resources will the Government be giving them to help detect and prevent child abuse during this lockdown?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady is correct about the strain schools face; we have invested £8 million to assist teachers in spotting signs of abuse or distress among children. Additionally, the “See, Hear, Respond” scheme has received a significant investment, alongside funding for Childline and Operation Encompass helpline.
David Johnston
SNP
Dunfermline and West Fife
Question
I warmly welcome the launch of the new codeword scheme today. I have a constituent whose abusive partner is the subject of a non-molestation order, but because the place where she lives is the place where they had a joint business, he has managed to get the zonal aspect of the order lifted, on the ground that he needs to be in the location for business. The abuse has restarted, and during lockdown it is difficult for my constituent’s friends and family to support her in the right way. Will my hon. Friend meet me to discuss how to give better support to victims of abuse in these circumstances?
Minister reply
I will most certainly meet my hon. Friend as this case highlights the complexity many people face even after a relationship ends. The Bill includes measures like domestic abuse protection orders that put positive requirements on offenders, and I am happy to discuss ways to better support his constituent.
Tony Lloyd
Lab
Manchester Central
Question
There is a lot to commend in the statement, in particular the “Ask for ANI” scheme, but I put it to the Minister that what is really important is early detection of abuse and abusive behaviour, because that is most likely to lead to behaviour change on the part of the perpetrator. That is why it is so important, particularly during lockdown, that victims are at least given credibility and that early action is taken to support them and to work with perpetrators to break the cycle. That is vital during covid, as it is in normal times.
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman is correct; tackling abuse includes supporting both victims and addressing perpetrator behaviour through programmes like the £7.1 million invested in offender programmes this year. The “Respect” helpline offers help for people concerned about their own behaviour during a pandemic.
Question
I am grateful to the Minister for implementing the “Ask for ANI” scheme, which will be a vital lifeline for victims of domestic abuse, but another lifeline is the availability of domestic abuse refuges. Paula from Wear Valley Women’s Aid in Bishop Auckland wrote to me this week expressing concern that if COVID spreads throughout her team, they might be unable to provide their much-needed service. Can my hon. Friend assure Paula and me that those who provide domestic abuse refuge services will be considered for the priority list in the next phase of the vaccine roll-out?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for raising this important point. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has focused on the highest clinical need priority groups, including residents in care homes and healthcare workers. Once that phase is completed—we hope by mid-February—we will look at the next roll-out phase, considering many categories of profession such as refuge charity workers.
Wera Hobhouse
Lib Dem
Bath
Question
As the chair of the all-party parliamentary group for the prevention of adverse childhood experiences, I am incredibly worried about the long-term consequences of COVID and the increase in domestic abuse for a large number of children. There will be no short-term fixes. Will the Minister work with the APPG to embed widespread trauma-informed services across the country?
Minister reply
Yes, I most certainly will. The Government are improving our understanding of how living in an abusive household can impact a child’s life chances and we will continue this work.
Robert Halfon
Con
Question
My hon. Friend will be aware that organisations such as the Safeguarding Alliance have reported new vulnerabilities in children exposed to county lines drug gangs, online harms and domestic abuse, with reports of online child abuse images increasing by 50% during the last lockdown. Will my hon. Friend ensure these children are identified by schools and checked by social services? What measures are the Government taking to prevent a safeguarding crisis?
Minister reply
Yes. We have enabled vulnerable children to still attend school even in this lockdown, and we continue this support under current restrictions. Schools remain open for them. Social workers are conducting vital work and charities like Barnardo’s and the Children’s Society help reach these poor children before county lines gangs ensnare them.
Pontypridd
Question
I thank the Minister for her update and fully welcome the new Ask for ANI scheme. Residents in Pontypridd who have experienced domestic abuse will appreciate this issue being raised here today. As my hon. Friend has said, tackling the root cause of domestic abuse requires a long-term strategy focused on interventions targeted towards perpetrators. Will the Minister confirm exactly what support the Home Office is providing and what conversations it is having with organisations working in this area?
Minister reply
We are planning for a stand-alone national strategy on domestic abuse which will include measures relating to perpetrators, combined with our investment of £7.1 million in perpetrator programmes.
Question
Last year, the Government prioritised the Domestic Abuse Bill Committee so that the Bill’s progress was not disrupted by the pandemic. The scourge of cyber-flashing needs to be made a criminal offence. Will she confirm that the Government are considering this?
Minister reply
We are running a call for evidence on producing a new violence against women and girls strategy, and we have asked the Law Commission to ensure our laws are up-to-date.
Question
The Prime Minister indicated to the Liaison Committee yesterday that the Government do not have any specific policies in place for survivors of domestic abuse among those with ‘insecure immigration status’. Will she confirm whether this is the case? Will she look at additional protections for those seeking refuge?
Minister reply
We are running a pilot project, launched before Christmas, to help support migrant victims of domestic abuse who do not fall within existing criteria.
Caroline Nokes
Con
Romsey and Southampton North
Question
Can I ask my hon. Friend what specific measures she is taking to reach out to domestic abuse victims in the BAME community who might find it harder to communicate and let others know of their plight?
Minister reply
The Home Office works closely with specialist charitable organisations to ensure that policies help with the whole realm of problems, issues and abuse that victims face.
Apsana Begum
Lab
Poplar and Limehouse
Question
Running away from home, wanting a divorce, wanting to marry and saying no to marriage are some scenarios that victims of abuse have contacted the charity Karma Nirvana about since the lockdown. Lockdowns and this crisis have produced economic conditions to increase forced marriages among families struggling with food and financial hardship in particular. Will the Minister work with her counterparts leading in the Department for Education and the Department for Work and Pensions to deliver a plan to tackle forced marriages in lockdown that provides sufficient economic protection?
Minister reply
I will write to her with specific steps we are taking to help victims of forced marriage.
Laura Trott
Con
Sevenoaks
Question
The Minister referred to the helpline element of Operation Encompass. The police automatically inform schools when a domestic violence incident has occurred in a child’s home, which is vital in her constituency and should be available nationwide. Will the Minister confirm whether the police element of Operation Encompass will be available on a nationwide basis?
Minister reply
Not only is Kent signed up to this fantastic scheme, but 40 other forces out of the 43 police forces in England and Wales are also signed up. We encourage the remaining forces to sign up as we have seen evidence that helping children on the morning of their return to school after a terrible incident at home can pay dividends for their wellbeing.
Barnsley South
Question
The Minister will be aware that legal aid is a vital service for victims of domestic abuse. However, there are reports of GPs charging up to £150 for a letter to prove that their injuries are a result of abuse, which is a disgrace. Will the Government commit to ensuring this appalling practice ends?
Minister reply
We have already agreed with the British Medical Association that this is not within its recommendations and it has made that clear to its members. We look into legal aid in context and consider measures available in courts to help victims of domestic abuse.
Question
The Minister referred to the priority given by the police and criminal courts to bringing perpetrators before them swiftly and promptly where there is evidence. Will she also set out what steps the Government are taking to ensure that victims have as swift access to legal advice as to redress in the family and civil courts without complicated legal aid application forms?
Minister reply
The Under-Secretary of State for Justice, my hon. Friend the Member for Cheltenham (Alex Chalk), is doing sterling work to ensure that victims of domestic abuse can have access to free legal advice in the initial stages of their case through a scheme called Finding Legal Options for Women Survivors.
Feryal Clark
Lab
Enfield North
Question
What discussions has the Minister had with charities and organisations running refuges about capacity, and what plans are there to ensure that a rise in demand does not mean that some people are left with a choice between staying with their abuser and homelessness?
Minister reply
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has provided advance funding ahead of the Domestic Abuse Bill coming into force. We want to keep building this capability so that people have access to the services they need.
Wendy Chamberlain
Lib Dem
North East Fife
Question
Research by Women’s Aid has found that covid-19 restrictions and associated socioeconomic strains make leaving abusive relationships more difficult. What are the Government planning to put in place to anticipate a likely surge in demand?
Minister reply
We have been working closely with domestic abuse charities throughout the pandemic to ensure services can deal with surges when they happen. The extra funding committed earlier will help, and we look through the Domestic Abuse Bill at continued duty on tier 1 local authorities.
Question
How is the Government getting financial support to organisations like Family Help in Darlington as quickly as possible?
Minister reply
We have taken a national, regional and local approach to community-based services. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has rolled out money to refuges while we focus on the national and regional parts of funding, including support to bolster helplines.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
Will the support and help announced today also be implemented in Northern Ireland?
Minister reply
My opposite number in the Northern Ireland Executive is working hard and has confirmed her intention to bring in similar legislation. We wish her and the Assembly well in their scrutiny of the forthcoming legislation.
Question
Will victims seeking help through Ask for ANI be connected to a network such as The Haven, and can victims of modern slavery also seek emergency help through this scheme?
Minister reply
The training programme has been meticulous. Staff will be very knowledgeable about what to do when somebody seeks help at their chemist’s. We are funding a rail to refuge scheme to help victims make the railway journey to a refuge.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
Question
Will victims be provided with safeguarded housing and psychological help for them and their children when they ask for ANI?
Minister reply
The training of staff has been meticulous, created hand in glove with domestic abuse charities. Victims can set out what they would like to happen once in the consultation room.
Question
Will the Minister agree to include the threat of releasing private and intimate images as a crime in the Domestic Abuse Bill?
Minister reply
We have asked the Law Commission to look into malicious behaviour online. We are looking forward to receiving their outcome.
Liz Twist
Lab
Blaydon and Consett
Question
We know that when it comes to domestic abuse, every contact counts. The Government’s new Ask for ANI scheme is a very welcome step towards enabling victims of domestic abuse to receive the support they need, but we need to do more. Will the Minister look again at including a statutory duty on public authorities to train frontline staff to recognise the signs of domestic abuse and to fund such training?
Minister reply
I hope the hon. Lady has seen not just the announcement of the codeword scheme today but the announcement encouraging employers to join the cause and to be better informed as to how they can help members of their workforce who may be suffering from domestic abuse. The Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, my hon. Friend the Member for Sutton and Cheam (Paul Scully), has written to many businesses today to set out how they can help.
Question
Due to the emergency circumstances, victims of domestic abuse sometimes have to flee, leaving behind all their possessions, including mobile phones, making it harder to stay in contact with the police and other agencies. In Stoke-on-Trent, the police have launched a fantastic initiative whereby some vulnerable residents and domestic abuse victims have been given mobile phones loaded with useful contacts based on the individual’s situation. Does the Minister agree that it is important to support measures enabling domestic abuse victims to leave their home environment while eradicating the fear of being cut off from society, especially when covid-19 is exacerbating isolation across the board?
Minister reply
We are keen not just to help victims to flee home when that is necessary for their own safety but, importantly, to keep them in their own homes where it is safe to do so, and to ask, or demand, that the perpetrator leaves. There is a whole host of work going on on this.
Tan Dhesi
Lab
Slough
Question
Many of us have been extremely concerned about the increased incidence of domestic abuse and other hidden harms during lockdown. However, many domestic abuse charities and anti-modern slavery and vulnerable children’s organisations have been struggling financially and have spoken about the insufficient support from Government. Can the Minister confirm what discussions she has had with the Treasury and the sector on multi-year funding?
Minister reply
I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answers I have given previously, including in relation to the £25 million to £26 million that has already been paid out to charities.
Question
Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, for getting to me at the end of the list. I thank the Minister for her statement and all her work on this issue. I commend to her the work of Future Living Hertford, which does amazing work with victims of domestic abuse and their families and is running a “children’s voices” campaign to highlight the need to hear children and recognise their status as victims. Does she agree that this message is particularly important during this crisis and is completely in line with the aims of the Domestic Abuse Bill? Will she agree to visit Future Living Hertford with me when such visits are possible once more?
Minister reply
I would be delighted to do so. I thank my hon. Friend for her work on the Bill Committee enabling us to table an amendment whereby children are included in the Bill, reflecting the impact that this abuse has on them.
Shadow Comment
Jess Phillips
Shadow Comment
The shadow Home Secretary welcomed the launch of the Ask for ANI scheme but raised concerns about whether victims will receive support beyond initial contact. She questioned the distribution and allocation of emergency financial support, highlighting that only a third of the £75 million announced has been spent after over a year into the crisis. The Labour party also inquired about refuge capacity, specialised services for diverse victim groups, safety measures for vulnerable children out of school, and multi-year funding to ensure sustainability during the pandemic.
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