Crisis responds to the government re-introducing the domestic abuse bill

Today, the government will re-introduce the Domestic Abuse Bill to parliament, where it will receive its first reading.

Alongside other measures, the Bill will introduce the first ever definition of domestic abuse and place a legal duty on local authorities to provide support to victims and their children in refuges. While this is welcome, councils in England still do not have a legal obligation to help survivors into long-term permanent housing, meaning people can spend months or even years in temporary accommodation with their lives on hold.

Responding to the announcement Hannah Gousy, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Crisis, said: “We’re pleased that the government has re-introduced the domestic abuse bill, but we’re deeply concerned that it still does not provide survivors fleeing domestic abuse with a legal right to safe, permanent housing.

“At this very moment, up and down the country people are making the incredibly brave decision to flee their abuser only to come up against a system that says they aren’t vulnerable enough to access a home. How as a society can we put people in a position where they either have to risk their life returning to their abuser or face life on the streets – this has to change.

“Putting lives in danger has to stop. We continue to urge the government to see sense on this matter and amend the bill so that anyone fleeing domestic abuse is guaranteed a safe, settled home.”

-ENDS-