Scottish government publishes Domestic Abuse Bill
Victims and survivors of domestic abuse in Scotland will have greater protection following the publication of The Domestic Abuse (Protection) (Scotland) Bill.
If approved by Parliament, the Bill will provide police and courts with powers to remove suspected abusers from victims’ homes and ban them from re‑entering. The new legislation will also allow social landlords to [...]
Decrease in most family justice activity but domestic abuse applications rise during lockdown
There has been a significant decrease in most types of family justice between April and June as a result of measures adopted by the courts regarding COVID-19.
The Family Court Quarterly Statistics also revealed that the time for a care or supervision case to reach first disposal was 36 weeks, despite the 26 weeks target.
There [...]
NSPCC sees 50% rise in contacts about domestic abuse
The number of contacts to the NSPCC from people concerned about children living in homes with domestic abuse rose by almost 50% since the introduction of national lockdown measures.
The children’s charity said that between April and September 2020, more than 4,500 concerns were raised by members of the public, with 818 contacts in August alone.
NSPCC [...]
Scottish government provides £4m funding for domestic abuse projects
The Scottish government has provided more than £4 million for domestic abuse and violence charities and projects following an increase in demand for services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additional funding of £4.25 million has been provided for charities and projects across Scotland to help respond to an increase in demand from victims of abuse for support [...]
COVID-19 has exacerbated inequalities for vulnerable children
The children’s commissioner for England has urged a comprehensive recovery package for children to help them following their experiences of the last six months and the ongoing crisis of the Coronavirus pandemic.
In a report, Anne Longfield warns that for many of the most vulnerable children in England, the disruption of the last six months has [...]
Vulnerable children ‘hidden’ in lockdown, warns Barnardo’s
Vulnerable young people are being isolated from the services they need during lockdown, Barnardo’s has warned.
The children’s charity has surveyed its practitioners and found that fewer children and young people were being referred into services, despite increasing need.
Barnardo’s Chief Executive Javed Khan said: “The coronavirus pandemic has meant that vulnerable children and young people are [...]
