All councils to provide ‘safe houses’
COUNCILS are for the first time to be placed under a legal duty to provide “safe houses” for victims of domestic abuse, Theresa May will announce today.
The move will require a multi-million pound expansion, but the government says it will provide the necessary funding to end a “postcode lottery” where victims in some areas are unable to find refuge places.
Figures from Women’s Aid show that 400 victims a month are being turned down for places in secure accommodation, with as many as four abused women or men chasing every vacancy. Official crime survey data suggests 1.9million adults experience domestic abuse each year.
The Prime Minister said: “I’ve always vowed to leave no stone unturned in tackling domestic abuse – this abhorrent crime has no place in our country. And 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.”
James Brokenshire, the Communities Secretary, said the duty would require a local partnership board to work with police, health bodies, children services, housing groups and charities to deliver specialist domestic abuse services including accommodation.
He acknowledged this would place “significant new expectations” on councils but added: “That’s why we are committed to ensuring local government receives the funding needed to deliver this pledge. It is unacceptable that just because of where they live, some survivors who are crying out for support so they can keep their family safe, are struggling to access it. And that for some, the support offered does not reflect their needs.”
The Government is to consult over the next 12 weeks on the funds needed and the proposals to be included in the planned new domestic abuse Bill. This will establish a domestic abuse commissioner who is expected to play a key role in ensuring councils deliver support for victims including good quality and safe accommodation.
The legislation will also introduce the first statutory government definition of domestic abuse which specifically includes economic abuse and controlling and manipulative nonphysical abuse.
Local councils will be required to investigate what is needed, then develop and publish strategies which spell out the range of support services available for survivors and their children – including refuge accommodation and specialist support from safety through to independence.