Key Facts

• The Committee Room has a capacity for a maximum of 15 Members.
• Two additional Members can sit in the Public Gallery if more than 15 are present.
• A minute's silence will be held at 11 am to remember George Floyd.
• Electronic copies of speaking notes should be emailed to hansardnotes@parliament.uk.
• Analysis from the Children’s Commissioner suggests that 831,000 children in England live in households affected by domestic abuse.
• On average, 692 child-in-need assessments highlight domestic abuse daily before covid-19.
• The Women’s Aid annual survey reported that 13,787 children used refuge services in 2018-19, compared to 11,489 women.
• The number of family support workers declined during her time at Refuge accommodation.
• Two thirds of local authorities faced barriers to accessing support for children affected by domestic abuse.
• Over 10% of local authorities had no specialist support for child victims.
• Funding for children’s services fell by £3 billion between 2010 and 2018.
• The Joint Committee on the Draft Domestic Abuse Bill recommended including children as victims of domestic abuse in the household.
• The current Bill recognises this issue in the statutory functions of the domestic abuse commissioner, who will encourage good practice but lacks specific powers or budget to enforce it.
• CAFCASS and local authorities are encouraged to ensure child victims have access to necessary support.
• The Children’s Commissioner encourages passing an amendment to include children affected by domestic abuse in the Bill.
• The Home Office awarded £3.1 million to specialist services supporting children impacted by domestic abuse.
• No portion of this funding enabled placements for children in Birmingham.
• Karen Buck reminded Members about intervention rules.
• Speakers should address the Chair, not other Members by first name.
• Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 is a crucial piece of legislation that ensures local authorities have a duty to provide housing for destitute families with children.
• The speaker mentions cases where section 17 has been misused against victims of domestic abuse, preventing them from accessing necessary support services.
• The impact of austerity measures on local authority funding has led to reduced availability and effectiveness of domestic abuse services and child protection measures.
• Public Health Wales research found that 16% of adults in Wales grew up in a house with domestic violence.
• Children’s social care assessments show that more than half (51%) cited domestic abuse as a factor.
• Ynys Môn constituency has one of the highest percentages of looked-after children in rural Wales, many experiencing domestic abuse.
• The speaker previously led Westminster City Council and was recognized with an outstanding Ofsted grade.
• Charlie Webster, a victim of domestic abuse, expressed the need for legislation to help children reach their potential.
• The Bill aims to address domestic abuse but currently lacks provisions specifically protecting children.
• The Government's approach focuses on defining the relationship between abuser and victim and categorizing abusive behaviors.
• Clause 1(5) of the Bill mentions that perpetrators can use children in their abuse towards victims.
• Clause 79(2)(b) requires the Secretary of State to issue guidance about the effect of domestic abuse on children.
• Amendment 49 aims to define ‘provider of care’.
• The amendment specifies support can be emotional, psychological or physical.
• Support provided is aimed at enabling B to live independently.
• Carers UK announced that 4.5 million people have become unpaid carers during the coronavirus crisis.
• The amendment aims to respond to calls from people with disabilities and disability rights organisations.
• Connections through caregiving, especially for those not related by marriage or civil partnership, are currently not covered under 'connected parties'.
• Individuals with long-term illness or disability are more likely to be victims of domestic abuse.
• Disabled victims experience domestic abuse for an average of 3.3 years compared to 2.3 years for non-disabled victims.
• Zero referrals of disabled women to domestic abuse services came from adult social care between 2015 and 2016.
• Stay Safe East provided a case study where a carer turned abuser gained control over a disabled woman's life through gradual trust-building.
• Disabled people often find it difficult to access domestic abuse services.
• Only one or two beds in an area are usually accessible.
• Specialism needed for disabled victims is often provided by disabled voluntary sector providers.