Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Domestic Abuse: Prosecution

Thursday 4 June 2026 · 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 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister secured 5 million for pre-trial meetings with victims in Crown court.
  • A pilot project is underway in CPS Wales to speed up decision-making.
  • Financial abuse is recognized as coercive and controlling behaviour.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Danny Chambers Lib Dem Winchester
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

The question arises from the significant impact of domestic abuse on victims and their families, with a focus on ensuring quick resolution of cases. The questioner seeks specific steps being taken to address this issue.

Question

What steps she is taking to ensure the effective prosecution of domestic abuse cases. Domestic abuse has a severe impact on victims and their families; those who come forward deserve prompt justice. What measures are in place to guarantee quick resolution?

Answer from Ellie Reeves

Domestic abuse significantly impacts victims and families, and those who come forward deserve swift justice. The Minister secured additional funding of £5 million this year for pre-trial meetings with victims in Crown court. A pilot project is underway in CPS Wales to speed up decision-making on police-led charging decisions in domestic abuse cases.

Answered
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Q2 Danny Chambers Lib Dem Winchester
Crime & Law Enforcement Children & Families
Context

The question arises from a specific case of financial abuse where one parent's failure to attend hearings repeatedly causes the Child Maintenance Service to withdraw cases, leaving the other parent trapped in a loop of financial abuse. The questioner seeks clarity on whether such practices are troubling and what actions can be taken.

Question

One form of domestic abuse is financial abuse and coercion. In my constituency, a CMS case has been repeatedly dropped at the magistrate level because one parent failed to attend hearings; this means no prosecution for the non-attending parent, leaving the other trapped in financial abuse. Is it troubling that cases are simply dropped without repercussions?

Answer from Ellie Reeves

Thanking the hon. Member for raising his constituent's case, the Minister acknowledges financial abuse as coercive and controlling behaviour deserving recognition. She commends victims' bravery but offers to look into specific cases if written to.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked about troubling practices in dropping CMS cases without repercussions; the response did not directly address this concern.

How: Commends Victims, Offers To Look Into Case

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