To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the joint briefing from Shelter and Women's Aid entitled The Benefit Cap and Domestic Abuse, published May 2021, whether she has made an assessment of the reasons why (a) Black and minoritised women, (b) women with no recourse to public funds, (c) deaf and disabled women, (d) women with mental health and substance use needs are the most likely to be turned away from a refuge space; and what steps the Government is taking to support women in those groups.
Answered on
25 May 2021
We recognise that victims of domestic abuse with additional and / or multiple complex support needs can face challenges in accessing safe accommodation, including refuge.
We have extensively engaged with the sector on these issues and that is why under a new duty in the Domestic Abuse Act, local authorities will be required to assess the need for and provide appropriate support for all victims within safe accommodation.
The draft Statutory Guidance underpinning the duty makes clear that local authorities must consider the specific needs of victims with additional or multiple complex needs - such as those from Black and minoritised communities, disabled victims or victims with mental health and substance misuse needs - when conducting their needs assessments and strategies. It also makes clear the importance of specialist services that provide vital, tailored support to victims with specific needs.
The Government has also provided £1.5 million for a new Support for Migrant Victims Scheme which will provide vital support and accommodation to migrant victims and their children and, help the Government to gain an accurate picture of support needed to shape future programmes across the UK.