Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Domestic Abuse Victims: Courts

Tuesday 16 May 2023 · 2 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 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial commitment to quadrupling funding for victim and witness support services by 2024-25
  • Recruitment of over 300 more independent sexual violence advisers and independent domestic violence advisers
  • Men can be victims of domestic abuse and are entitled to timely and appropriate support as outlined in the updated statutory guidance 2022

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Holly Mumby-Croft
Justice & Courts Women & Equalities
Context

The MP is concerned about the support available for victims of domestic abuse when navigating the court system.

Question

What steps he is taking to support victims of domestic abuse through the court system. The Victims Minister's commitment includes quadrupling funding for victim and witness support services by 2024-25, along with hiring more independent sexual violence advisers and independent domestic violence advisers to ensure comprehensive support.

Answer from Edward Argar

As Victims Minister, I am committed to supporting all victims to pursue an outcome in the criminal justice system and bring perpetrators to justice. We are quadrupling funding for victim and witness support services by 2024-25 and recruiting over 300 more independent sexual violence advisers and independent domestic violence advisers to increase their numbers to more than 1,000. The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 has introduced new protections and support for victims.

Answered
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Q2 Holly Mumby-Croft
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

The MP highlights that men can also be victims of domestic violence and seeks reassurance on their support through the justice system.

Question

It is important to remember that anyone can be a victim of domestic violence, including men. My constituents have raised this issue with me; will the Minister do all he can to reassure them and me that men, too, will be supported through the justice system?

Answer from Edward Argar

My hon. Friend is right to highlight that men can be victims of domestic abuse and domestic violence. All victim survivors deserve access to timely and appropriate support. The updated controlling or coercive behaviour statutory guidance 2022 signposts specialist organisations that support men and boys who are victims of domestic abuse, alongside non-gendered services. Among the specialist organisations we fund as a Government are ManKind and Dads Unlimited, along with the Home Office supporting the Men's Advice Line run by Respect.

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