Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 2
2
Accepted
Improve government departments' understanding of domestic abuse survivors' experiences and local service demands.
Recommendation
Government departments do not have a realistic understanding of the experiences of survivors seeking support, nor the demands faced by local services on the ground. Government departments appear to have a starkly different understanding of the support provided to survivors of domestic abuse who seek support in their local communities compared with the reality. We were particularly concerned to hear that the Ministry 3 for Housing, Communities and Local Government believes that in the majority of cases domestic abuse survivors are met with adequate support from their local authority, as this does not align with what we have learnt from our constituents. It is also clear that this disjointed understanding extends to departments’ understanding of the demands being felt by support services locally. The Chief Executive of Women’s Aid told the Committee that the demands being faced by charities are increasing both in volume and complexity. For example, an increased demand for specialist mental health support for victims and survivors of violence against women and girls following the COVID–19 pandemic. Developing technology is also contributing to changes in the nature of abuse and the methods used by perpetrators. Wider pressures on services are exacerbating these demands, for example the housing crisis is making it even harder for local authorities to provide survivors with safe accommodation and, in turn, increasing the demand for temporary refuges. Wider demands on the justice system also mean that the criminal justice process is taking longer, with family courts processes becoming harder to navigate, thus increasing the demand on independent advocacy services (IDVAs). We are particularly concerned to hear that it is common for survivors to find going through the family courts processes to be almost more abusive than having experienced abuse by the perpetrator, seeing the courts as harmful, misogynistic spaces. recommendation As part of its Treasury Minute response, th
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and states the recommendation is implemented, detailing its survivor-informed approach through VAWG roundtables, the DAC’s VOICES network, and a Survivor Summit. The Ministry of Justice's Private Law Pathfinder project is running in six court areas and will extend to four more by March 2026, and the Home Office will continue its survivor-informed approach.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented Through ministerially chaired VAWG thematic roundtables with sector experts, delivery partners, academics, policing, local practitioners and government departments, and regular stakeholder meetings held by the Interpersonal Abuse Unit, the upcoming VAWG Strategy has been shaped by the views and insights of sector experts, delivery partners and victims. The government has sought to engage with survivors through the Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s (DAC) VOICES network which gives victims and survivors an opportunity to share their experiences to influence policy development. The network was consulted on numerous themes in the development of the VAWG Strategy. At the DAC’s Survivor Summit (March 2025) Ministers and senior officials heard first-hand powerful testimonies from survivors about the criminal justice system, accessing victim support services, housing, benefits, healthcare and welfare. The Home Office created a VAWG Strategy Advisory Board, comprised of 20 core attendees, including two rotating seats for specialist organisations to bring frontline perspectives to strategy development. The Home Office regularly engages with a wide range of specialist and frontline services from across England and Wales to ensure organisations receiving grant funding are delivering value for money and informing broader policy development. The Director-level leads in key partner departments, namely the Department for Education, Ministry of Justice and Health and Social Care, will drive accountability in delivering the new Strategy through the Safer Streets Mission. This will draw together cross- government plans spanning the whole breadth of work on VAWG prevention, victim support to transforming the justice system. The Ministry of Justice’s Private Law Pathfinder project in the family courts aims to improve the experience and outcomes for children and families, particularly those needing additional support such as domestic abuse survivors. It supports earlier identification of families’ needs and stronger multi-agency working, including with HMCTS, Cafcass, Cafcass Cymru, local authorities, police, and specialist services. The model is running in six court areas currently, including all of Wales, with plans to extend to a further four areas by end of March 26. Feedback and evaluation on delivery to date is showing positive results. The Home Office will continue to take a survivor-informed approach, including continued engagement with services supporting survivors and working with the Ministry of Justice on supporting individuals through the criminal and family courts system.