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Lifesaving domestic abuse services at risk from council financial crisis, warns Commissioner

Domestic abuse services are at risk of disappearing as the local authority financial crisis spirals out of control, says the Domestic Abuse Commissioner. Today Nicole Jacobs has written to Communities Secretary Michael Gove calling for urgent action to protect these lifesaving services. The safety of victims and survivors hangs in the balance, says the Commissioner. …

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Domestic Abuse Commissioner responds to Progress Report on safe accommodation duty

Today, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has published the Second Annual Progress Report of the National Expert Steering Group on Part 4 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. The Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation National Expert Steering Group (NESG) was set up to monitor the delivery of the duty on local authorities to …

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Changes to migrant survivor support scheme don’t go far enough, says Domestic Abuse Commissioner

Today the government introduces significant changes to a scheme that supports migrant victims and survivors of domestic abuse who have no recourse to public funds. For over a decade, the Destitution Domestic Violence Concession (DDVC) has provided migrant survivors who have come to the UK on a spousal visa and have experienced domestic abuse with …

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Commissioner responds to new statutory aggravating factor for sexually violent homicides

The Ministry of Justice has today announced: Nicole Jacobs, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales says, “Domestic abuse and sexual violence are closely linked crimes. One in three rapes and sexual assaults are perpetrated by current and ex-partners, and victims of intimate partner rape and sexual violence face particular barriers in finding justice. …

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Fatal domestic abuse reviews renamed to better recognise suicide cases

The Home Office has made changes to reviews conducted after fatal domestic abuse, so that they better recognise often hidden victims of domestic abuse who die by suicide, coercive and controlling behaviour, and economic abuse. This means that a review can be commissioned whenever there is a death that has, or appears to have, resulted …

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Domestic Abuse Commissioner responds to government’s ‘Early Resolution’ plans for the Family Court

Today the Ministry of Justice has published its response to the Private Family Law Early Resolution Consultation which sought views on measures to help families resolve disputes as swiftly and easily possible. The Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Nicole Jacobs says: “The Family Court is critical in keeping child and adult victims safe from abuse. I am …

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Distorted police statistics downplay domestic abuse reports, says Commissioner

Ten per cent fewer domestic abuse crimes have been recorded in new statistics published today, after police were instructed to deliberately count fewer crimes. In new rules introduced in June 2023, the Home Office has told the police to only count one crime for each time a victim comes forward and allowed police count fewer …

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Domestic Abuse Commissioner welcomes government’s £2million Flexible Funding pot for domestic abuse survivors

In partnership with Women’s Aid, the government has announced a £2million fund providing financial support to survivors of domestic abuse to help them flee from abusers and begin rebuilding their lives.  Survivors without the financial means to leave their abuser will be able to apply for a one-off payment of up to £500 to help …

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Services should do more to stop domestic abuse killings, says Domestic Abuse Commissioner

The vast majority of victims of domestic homicide were in touch with the police, health services and other public agencies before their death, according to research published today by the Domestic Abuse Commissioner and Manchester Metropolitan University. The four thematic reports published today are drawn from a sample of 302 reviews following domestic abuse related …

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Domestic Abuse Commissioner welcomes new changes to Victims and Prisoners Bill at Report Stage

“I am pleased to see the return of the Victims and Prisoners Bill to parliament today. This Bill provides a monumental opportunity to improve access to support and services for victims and survivors of domestic abuse. “I welcome the government’s support of my recommendation to require every commissioner in England to assess the needs of …

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