Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: Domestic Abuse

Monday 14 December 2020 · 5 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • UK government provided additional funding to domestic abuse service providers during the covid-19 pandemic.
  • The Domestic Abuse Bill has passed scrutiny in the House of Commons and awaits scrutiny in the House of Lords.
  • The government aims to prevent cycles of abuse through tackling perpetrators and using academic research like AI for better risk assessment.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 David Johnston
Justice & Courts Women & Equalities
Context

The MP is concerned about the steps being taken by the government to protect victims of domestic abuse, especially given the impact of the pandemic.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to protect victims of domestic abuse. The MP expressed concerns over the spike in cases during the pandemic and asked for specific actions being taken.

Answer from Victoria Atkins

Throughout the covid-19 pandemic, we have provided unprecedented additional funding to domestic abuse service providers to bolster their capacity to meet the demand for support. We announced further funding last month and relaunched the #YouAreNotAlone campaign to ensure that victims of abuse and those worried about them know how to access help and advice.

Answered
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Q2 Sarah Owen Lab Luton North
Women & Equalities
Context

The MP noted that many people struggle to access support due to financial, language, cultural barriers and lack of recourse to public funds. She referred to local campaigners like Dr Nazia Khanum in Luton who highlighted the issue.

Question

What are the Government doing to ensure that domestic abuse support gets to those who are hardest to reach? The MP mentioned the significant increase in calls for help on helplines this year and concerns over additional barriers faced by victims.

Answer from Victoria Atkins

The hon. Lady will be aware of the groundbreaking Domestic Abuse Bill, which has passed its scrutiny in the House of Commons and awaits its scrutiny in the House of Lords. As part of that Bill, we have an extensive programme of work—not just in the Bill itself, but outside the Bill—to help support victims. We are mapping services available through the designate domestic abuse commissioner and launching our support for migrant victims scheme.

Answered
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Q3 Alex Norris Labour (Co-op) Nottingham North and Kimberley
Policing & Resources Justice & Courts
Context

The MP highlighted concerns over the adequacy of time provided to spend additional funding allocated during the pandemic. He cited feedback from support services indicating that March is an insufficient timeframe.

Question

Will the Minister commit herself today to giving them another year to spend that same money? The MP questioned the sufficiency of the current timeline and its impact on efficient spending.

Answer from Victoria Atkins

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for raising a constructive point. I hope that he knows that we were very keen through the pandemic to help at a local, regional and national level. We ensured that police and crime commissioners distribute funding not just to commissioned services but also to non-commissioned services. On the point about funding, I will take it away during the spending review allocation process.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide a specific commitment to extend the funding period beyond March and instead indicated she would discuss this issue further.

How: Will Take Away, During The Spending Review

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Q4 David Johnston
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The MP highlighted the work done by Reducing the Risk in supporting victims and its focus on prevention. He expressed concern that efforts should not be limited to addressing current cases.

Question

Does my hon. Friend agree that although we have to deal with the cases that we have seen spike during this year, we must not lose sight of the importance of prevention so that they do not get to that stage in the first place? The MP emphasized the need for a focus on preventing domestic abuse.

Answer from Victoria Atkins

I very much recognise that. Part of our programme is about tackling perpetrators, understanding their work through academics like the use of AI for better risk assessment of domestic abuse perpetrators and preventing cycles of abuse.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not directly confirm agreement but focused on initiatives addressing prevention.

How: Very Much Recognise

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Q5 Jess Phillips Lab Birmingham Yardley
Crime & Law Enforcement Women & Equalities
Context

The MP cited data revealing a significant rise in the number of victims not given refuge. She questioned the Government's record on providing refuge and asked about future guarantees.

Question

Can she guarantee that this figure will fall next year, or will it rise to 5,000 or maybe 6,000 victims turned away? The MP highlighted the Office for National Statistics data showing a substantial increase in unaccommodated victims and questioned the Government's approach.

Answer from Victoria Atkins

Part 4 of the Bill puts duties on tier 1 local authorities for providing support services. However, we also focus on keeping victims safe in their homes where possible, requiring perpetrators to leave instead. We want to change that culture wherever it is safe and possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide a specific guarantee but focused on policy measures addressing refuge accommodation issues.

How: Focuses, Culture

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