Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 10
10
Deferred
Paragraph: 58
Current Migrant Victims Protocol insufficient to protect victims with insecure immigration status
Conclusion
Abusers use the insecure immigration status of their victims to deter and prevent them from seeking support, exploiting fears that reporting abuse to the police will lead to action against the victim by Immigration Enforcement. We are not satisfied that the Immigration Enforcement Migrant Victims Protocol proposed by the Home Office, which prevents immigration enforcement action against that victim only while investigation 41 and prosecution proceedings are ongoing, and the victim is receiving support to make an application to regularise their stay, is sufficient to mitigate those concerns.
Government Response Summary
The government deflected the concern about the Immigration Enforcement Migrant Victims Protocol and the impact of insecure immigration status, instead focusing on support for male victims of HBA and existing VAWG strategies.
Paragraph Reference:
58
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
We recognise that men can also be victims of these crimes and are committed to ensuring that all victims and survivors of HBA receive the support they deserve. Both the cross-Government Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy9 published in July 2021, and the Tackling Domestic Abuse Plan10 published in March 2022 are clear that the commitments they include apply equally to all victims and survivors of these crimes, including male victims. The Government recognises that male victims of these crimes may face specific challenges. That is why in March 2022, we published the Supporting Male Victims11 document which includes a number of additional commitments to address some of the specific challenges encountered by men and boys in relation to these crimes, including HBA. It also emphasises 9 Tackling violence against women and girls strategy - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 10 Tackling Domestic Abuse Plan - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 11 Supporting male victims - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) importance of specialist services, information on the myths and stereotypes that can act as a barrier to reporting for male victims and case studies to provide examples of best practice. The Government therefore does not consider an additional Strategy for male victims is necessary. Law Reform