Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Support for Victims of Abuse 2026-06-30

Tuesday 30 June 2026 · 9 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government's strategy aims to halve violence against women and girls through cross-departmental efforts.
  • Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government committed 499 million for safe accommodation for abuse victims.
  • Local authorities in England have a statutory duty to assess and address the need for support in safe accommodation for domestic abuse victims.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Melanie Onn Lab Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes
Housing Women & Equalities
Context

The MP is concerned about the support services available to victims of abuse in her constituency. She mentions Denise Farman from Women's Aid, highlighting successful move-on accommodation projects.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to support women and children who have experienced abuse to access support services. The brilliant Denise Farman has been the chief officer of Women's Aid in Grimsby for 25 years, pioneering move-on accommodation for those leaving refuge, but notes over 2,000 empty properties across north-east Lincolnshire.

Answer from Catherine Atkinson

The Government's strategy for halving violence against women and girls is truly cross-departmental. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government have committed £499 million to councils for safe accommodation for victims, aiming to bring more empty homes back into use.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address the specific request about integrating move-on projects with an empty home strategy

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Q2 Ashley Dalton Lab West Lancashire
Women & Equalities Children & Families
Context

The MP visited the Liberty Centre in her constituency, which supports individuals and families affected by domestic abuse but lacks sufficient resources.

Question

I recently visited the Liberty Centre in my constituency, a fantastic charitable organisation that supports individuals and families who have been affected by domestic abuse and violence. It told me that it could fill its refuge places three times over, but does not have the resources. What are the Government doing to ensure such organisations continue to be supported?

Answer from Catherine Atkinson

Local authorities in England have a statutory duty to assess and address the need for support, with safe accommodation for all domestic abuse victims. Lancashire county council has been allocated more than £3.3 million to support local services like those provided by the Liberty Centre.

Answered
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Q3 Lauren Sullivan Lab Gravesham
Children & Families
Context

The MP visited a child contact centre that provides safe, neutral spaces for children to meet non-resident parents.

Question

In Gravesham, I recently visited the new Maltings child contact centre hosted by the City Praise Centre. Given the vital role local organisations play in supporting families, what steps is the Minister taking to ensure services such as these are more widely available?

Answer from Catherine Atkinson

This Government provide £450,000 annually to assist supported child contact centres in England and Wales. The new Maltings centre provides a safe space for children and parents; the funding supports such vital services.

Answered
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Q4 Melanie Onn Lab Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes
Housing Women & Equalities Children & Families
Context

The MP mentions Denise Farman from Women's Aid, highlighting the importance of move-on accommodation for those leaving refuge.

Question

Denise Farman has pioneered move-on accommodation for women and children leaving refuge. With over 2,000 empty properties in north-east Lincolnshire, what discussions have the Department had with MHCLG to integrate such projects into an empty home strategy?

Answer from Catherine Atkinson

I visited Women's Aid and heard from victims who found sanctuary in safe places. The Government have committed £499 million to councils for victim support services, aiming to bring more empty homes back into use.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address the specific integration of move-on accommodation with an empty home strategy

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Q5 Oliver Dowden Con Hertsmere
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

The MP raises concerns about a constituent's difficulty in accessing justice for their child's repeated sexual abuse.

Question

A constituent's child was subject to repeated sexual abuse. She finds access to justice difficult and fears the accused will not be held accountable if found unfit for trial. What reassurances can you give about resources allocated for such prosecutions?

Answer from Catherine Atkinson

Under this Government, prosecutions and convictions for child sexual abuse have increased. I would be willing to meet the hon. Member to discuss this case.

Not addressed: Did not address resource allocation or sanctions after conviction

How: Willing To Meet

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Q6 Carla Lockhart DUP Upper Bann
Crime & Law Enforcement Women & Equalities
Context

The MP mentions the brutal murder of Natalie McNally and her unborn child, Dean, highlighting legal gaps regarding recognition of unborn victims.

Question

Following the murder of Natalie McNally and her unborn son, why does the law fail to recognise an unborn baby's death caused by criminal violence as a separate offence? Will you meet me to discuss reviewing this law?

Answer from Catherine Atkinson

I am happy to meet the hon. Member to discuss recognising deaths caused by criminal violence. This Government are determined to halve violence against women and girls within a decade.

Not addressed: Did not commit to reviewing law, only offered meeting

How: Happy To Meet

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Q7 Josh Babarinde Lib Dem Eastbourne
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The MP celebrates the work of Eastbourne Survivors, an organisation supporting survivors of abuse on a voluntary basis.

Question

Disgracefully, some believe football can prevent domestic abuse. In reality, perpetrators must stop abusing. Will you join me in celebrating Eastbourne Survivors' amazing work to support folks recovering from abuse?

Answer from Catherine Atkinson

I absolutely join the hon. Gentleman in celebrating the work of Eastbourne Survivors. Domestic violence is a choice for perpetrators, not about football results.

Answered
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Q8 Kieran Mullan Con Bexhill and Battle
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

Victims contacting support services due to letters informing them of earlier release dates for their abusers. Victim Support supports over 814,000 victims annually.

Question

One thing that we know children will contact victim support services about is the letters they receive telling them that their abusers will be getting out of prison earlier. The CEO of Victim Support expressed concerns regarding transparency and communication with victims under previous policies leading to distress and uncertainty among victims when offenders are released early.

Answer from Catherine Atkinson

It is important that there is transparency and communication with victims, unlike what we saw under the Conservatives; when they were letting people out, they did so with almost no notice, if any at all. I absolutely acknowledge the concerns from victims, but overcrowded prisons risk collapsing the criminal justice system.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Exact number of releases and offences committed by offenders not provided

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Q9 Kieran Mullan Con Bexhill and Battle
Justice & Courts Women & Equalities
Context

The Department published a response to the questioner's earlier intervention, but it did not provide an answer on how many people are being released in September.

Question

I agree with the Minister that transparency is important. Victim support services and other organizations need information about release numbers for planning purposes. However, they currently lack this information. The Department published a response to my earlier question but it was not an answer. Can the Government provide details on how many perpetrators of serious offences are being released in September and when such information will be made public?

Answer from Catherine Atkinson

The Government have published a victim impact assessment and are ensuring that people are communicated with. The Government's violence against women and girls strategy ensures we pursue perpetrators, support victims and prevent violence.

Not addressed: Details on release numbers and timing of public information not provided

How: Changing The Subject To A Broader Policy Initiative

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