A new legal duty for councils will provide secure homes for those escaping abuse.
The prime minister announced the policy today which is meant to tackle the differing provisions that councils provide to domestic abuse victims.
She said in a statement: “Today we are ending the postcode lottery by placing on local authorities a legal duty to deliver support, including secure housing, to survivors of domestic abuse and their children.”
“Whoever you are, wherever you live and whatever the abuse you face, you will have access to the services you need to be safe.”
The bill will introduce the first statutory definition of domestic abuse and will specifically include economic abuse and non-physical abuse.
It will also instate a domestic abuse commissioner and prohibit the cross-examination of victims by their abusers in courts.
The legislation will provide additional funding to councils so they can fulfil their obligations. However this amount has not yet been determined.
Sandra Horley, chief executive of Refuge, said the policy could offer “life-saving services”.
“Refuge is delighted by the government’s decision to place a legal duty on local authorities to provide funding for accommodation based support for survivors of domestic abuse,” she said.
“This has the potential to end the postcode lottery for refuge places and could put these life-saving services on a secure financial footing for the first time.”
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HeadlinePM vows to end ‘postcode lottery’ for domestic abuse victims
Short HeadlineDomestic abuse: PM vows to end 'postcode lottery'
StandfirstThe PM announced the policy on Monday which will be discussed in Parliament
A new legal duty for councils will provide secure homes for those escaping abuse.
The prime minister announced the policy today which is meant to tackle the differing provisions that councils provide to domestic abuse victims.
She said in a statement: “Today we are ending the postcode lottery by placing on local authorities a legal duty to deliver support, including secure housing, to survivors of domestic abuse and their children.”
“Whoever you are, wherever you live and whatever the abuse you face, you will have access to the services you need to be safe.”
The bill will introduce the first statutory definition of domestic abuse and will specifically include economic abuse and non-physical abuse.
It will also instate a domestic abuse commissioner and prohibit the cross-examination of victims by their abusers in courts.
The legislation will provide additional funding to councils so they can fulfil their obligations. However this amount has not yet been determined.
Sandra Horley, chief executive of Refuge, said the policy could offer “life-saving services”.
“Refuge is delighted by the government’s decision to place a legal duty on local authorities to provide funding for accommodation based support for survivors of domestic abuse,” she said.
“This has the potential to end the postcode lottery for refuge places and could put these life-saving services on a secure financial footing for the first time.”
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