Domestic Abuse 2020-11-16
2020-11-16
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The Domestic Abuse Bill requires local authorities to provide support in safe accommodation, raising concerns about adequate funding. The bill's provisions aim to ensure victims receive necessary assistance.
What discussions have been had with Cabinet colleagues on funding for local authorities to ensure they can provide the required support under the Domestic Abuse Bill? With a rise in domestic abuse cases, survivors often need community-based services and not just refuge accommodation.
My Department has engaged extensively in taking forward the new duty on local authorities, which will be appropriately funded post-spending review. A £6 million fund was announced last month to aid councils in preparing for this duty. The new duty covers a wide range of accommodation services and not just refuges.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific amount of funding for community-based support was not confirmed, only that it would be part of the spending review process.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The Domestic Abuse Bill mandates local authorities to provide support, but the majority of survivors need assistance outside refuges. This raises concerns about adequate funding and duty requirements.
Does the Minister agree that local authorities must have a duty to provide community-based services and support for victims experiencing domestic abuse, alongside the duty in refuges? Will this be adequately funded?
The new duty ensures support is available across various accommodation types. The Government recognises more needs to be done for adequate provision in communities and has initiated a review by the Domestic Abuse Commissioner.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific funding commitments for community-based services were not provided, only that a review will inform future actions.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Women experiencing domestic abuse are being turned away from up to five separate refuges due to a lack of specialist services, raising concerns about under-resourced funding.
This morning, it was reported that women not speaking English or needing specialist services were turned away by multiple refuges despite available spaces. If the funding for these refuges is as severely under-resourced as estimated by charities like Refuge and Women's Aid, how will legislative changes help those desperate to flee abuse?
A home should be a place of safety, and turning away victims is unacceptable. The Government announced an £10 million emergency fund helping to reopen 350 beds and create more than 1,500. The situation will continue to be monitored as we move through the post-covid period.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific funding amounts for specialist services were not provided; only monitoring and emergency support was mentioned.
Response accuracy