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Domestic Abuse Bill - Sitting 1

04 June 2020

Proposing MP
Peter Bone Con
Wellingborough
Type
Public Bill Committee

At a Glance

Issue Summary

The statement discusses the procedural arrangements and social distancing measures for the Committee meeting on the Domestic Abuse Bill. Nicole Jacobs discusses her views on the Domestic Abuse Bill and its impact on services for victims of domestic abuse. Peter Bone is managing the discussion on the Domestic Abuse Bill by organising questions from MPs. MP Peter Bone discusses the need for efficient time management during parliamentary committee discussions on the Domestic Abuse Bill. Nicole Jacobs discusses her role as the Domestic Abuse Commissioner in working closely with charities and organisations to elevate voices affected by domestic abuse. Peter Bone is chairing a session of oral evidence related to the Domestic Abuse Bill, focusing on the perspectives of organisations working with migrant women and victims of domestic abuse. Pragna Patel is discussing the exclusion of protection for migrant women in the Domestic Abuse Bill. Pragna Patel discusses the need for protection and support for migrant women who are victims of domestic abuse, emphasizing that existing inequalities are exacerbated by current policies. Peter Bone discusses concerns about a pilot project addressing domestic abuse support for migrant women. Peter Bone addresses the time constraints and adjourns the Committee without further questions.

Action Requested

No specific action is requested, but the MP outlines the schedule for the committee meetings and oral evidence sessions from witnesses, emphasizing adherence to timings and social distancing rules.

Key Facts

  • The Committee will meet at specified times from Thursday 4 June to Thursday 25 June.
  • Witnesses scheduled to give oral evidence include Nicole Jacobs, Designate Domestic Abuse Commissioner; Southall Black Sisters; Latin American Women’s Rights Service; Somiya Basar and Saliha Rashid; Women’s Aid Federation of England; End Violence Against Women Coalition; Refuge; SafeLives; Hestia; Gisela Valle from Step Up Migrant Women UK; Dame Vera Baird QC, Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses; Local Government Association; Welsh Women’s Aid.
  • The Committee will deliberate in private until the witnesses are admitted.
  • Jacobs welcomes the statutory definition and inclusion of financial abuse in the Bill.
  • Community-based services provide 70% of services, yet they are not included in the statutory duty.
  • Many victims lack recourse to public funds, limiting their access to support.
  • Peter Bone is overseeing the Public Bill Committee session.
  • The next speakers are Peter Kyle, followed by Virginia Crosbie and Liz Twist.
  • The committee has less than 15 minutes left for discussion.
  • Virginia Crosbie, Liz Twist, Alex Davies-Jones, Liz Saville Roberts, and Mike Wood have requested to speak.
  • Jacobs will work closely with national helplines and services representing the sector.
  • The commissioner’s office aims to help elevate voices at local levels and illustrate funding needs for services.
  • A memorandum of understanding will be developed with other commissioners' offices.
  • Peter Bone chairs a session on the Domestic Abuse Bill.
  • Pragna Patel introduces herself as director and founding member of Southall Black Sisters, established in 1979.
  • Southall Black Sisters provide advice, advocacy, and campaigning services for black and minority ethnic women.
  • Patel states that the voices of marginalized migrant women are not being heard in the bill's drafting.
  • Migrant women with no recourse to public funds cannot access any kind of support.
  • Local authorities often respond with deterrence, offering return tickets or separating children from mothers.
  • The Government provided £250,000 and a further £1 million through the tampon tax fund for supporting migrant women.
  • Between 2017 and the current date, around 500 women have been helped by the tampon tax funds.
  • Half of the cases were not eligible under the destitute domestic violence concession (DDVC), requiring extended support periods up to six months.
  • The pilot project has been allocated £1.5 million.
  • The tampon tax currently allocates £1.9 million.
  • The pilot project will help only about 130 women over two years.
  • There are estimated to be between 1,200 and 3,000 women who are subject to abuse in the UK with no recourse to public funds.
  • The Chair adjourned the Committee.
  • The meeting was adjourned until later that day at Two o'clock.
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