Duty on councils to provide safe accommodation for victims of domestic abuse
Local authorities will have a new legal duty on them from next year to provide safe accommodation to survivors of domestic abuse, the government has confirmed.
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick has confirmed that survivors of domestic abuse will be provided with essential, life-saving support in safe accommodation thanks to new legal requirement upon every council [...]
Domestic abuse legislation confirmed in Queen's speech
The government's planned domestic abuse legislation was confirmed in the Queen's speech today.
Addressing parliament, the Queen said the government will bring forward measures to protect individuals, families and their homes.
"Legislation will transform the approach of the justice system and other agencies to victims of domestic abuse [Domestic Abuse Bill], and minimise the impact [...]
Domestic Abuse Bill needs greater focus on supporting child victims
Local authorities have urged more emphasis on supporting child victims of domestic abuse in the Domestic Abuse Bill.
As the Bill received its Second Reading in the House of Commons earlier this month, the Local Government Association said they would like to see more emphasis on how children can be supported when they have experienced [...]
First domestic abuse commissioner announced
The UK's first ever domestic abuse commissioner has been appointed by the government to lead on driving improvements on the response to domestic abuse in the UK.
Former Chief Executive Officer at charity Standing Together Against Domestic Violence Nicole Jacobs has been appointed as the designate Domestic Abuse Commissioner. Ms Jacobs, who has [...]
Child survivors of domestic abuse should be seen as victims
Child witnesses of domestic abuse should be seen as victims with their needs appropriately met, a committee has warned.
The Joint Committee on the Draft Domestic Abuse Bill has recommended changes to the Bill to ensure that all those affected by domestic abuse receive protection and a tailored response to their differing needs.
The committee was particularly [...]
Statutory duty on local authorities to provide accommodation for domestic abuse survivors
Domestic abuse survivors and their children will be supported further as the government has revealed plans which place a statutory duty on local authorities to provide secure accommodation for domestic abuse survivors and those fleeing abuse.
Charity Refuge welcomed the plans which, it said, had the potential to "end the postcode lottery for refuge places and [...]
