Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take to ensure that any failures identified by HM Inspectorate of Probation of community rehabilitation companies adequately to protect the victims of domestic abuse are addressed; and in what timescale such action will be taken.
Answered on
15 October 2018
The Government takes extremely seriously the findings of HM Inspectorate of Probation in relation to the work of Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) on domestic abuse. A detailed Action Plan to address the recommendations will be published in due course, in line with the normal process for responding to HMIP reports.
We have already been clear that CRCs must improve. This is why we are taking decisive action to end current contracts early, and put in place new arrangements from 2020 which will ensure probation plays its full part in tackling domestic abuse and protecting victims. The Government has also set out plans to better support victims of domestic abuse, bring more offenders to justice and ultimately keep the public safe through our proposed Domestic Abuse Bill. These include new Domestic Abuse Protection Orders to allow police and courts to act earlier and more effectively when abuse is suspected, and the creation of a Domestic Abuse Commissioner to stand up for victims, monitor the provision of domestic abuse services and hold the Government to account.