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Coronavirus: Government pledges £3.1m for children abused in lockdown Coronavirus: Government pledges £3.1m for children abused in lockdown
(about 3 hours later)
The government is to spend £3.1 million on services supporting children who witness "appalling abuse" at home during the coronavirus lockdown.The government is to spend £3.1 million on services supporting children who witness "appalling abuse" at home during the coronavirus lockdown.
The funding will be given to councils, charities, and police and crime commissioners in England and Wales.The funding will be given to councils, charities, and police and crime commissioners in England and Wales.
Labour has put forward a plan for a fund of £75 million for domestic abuse services as part of charity funding.Labour has put forward a plan for a fund of £75 million for domestic abuse services as part of charity funding.
MPs will debate the Domestic Abuse Bill later, amid evidence it is rising during the coronavirus lockdown. MPs are debating the Domestic Abuse Bill, amid evidence it is rising during the coronavirus lockdown.
There has been a "surge" in violence in the weeks since the lockdown was introduced, a report by MPs said, with a rise in killings and the number of calls to the National Domestic Abuse helpline run by Refuge up 49% after three weeks.There has been a "surge" in violence in the weeks since the lockdown was introduced, a report by MPs said, with a rise in killings and the number of calls to the National Domestic Abuse helpline run by Refuge up 49% after three weeks.
The home affairs select committee said that without a comprehensive government strategy to cope with the consequences of the violence, "we will be dealing with serious consequences for a generation".The home affairs select committee said that without a comprehensive government strategy to cope with the consequences of the violence, "we will be dealing with serious consequences for a generation".
The new funding for children's services will "ensure that children receive the immediate care they need", safeguarding minister Victoria Atkins told BBC Breakfast.The new funding for children's services will "ensure that children receive the immediate care they need", safeguarding minister Victoria Atkins told BBC Breakfast.
It will go towards services such as one-to-one and group counselling sessions and early intervention schemes, the Home Office said.It will go towards services such as one-to-one and group counselling sessions and early intervention schemes, the Home Office said.
Speaking about domestic abuse more broadly, Ms Atkins said ministers were working with refuge providers to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on the availability of places.Speaking about domestic abuse more broadly, Ms Atkins said ministers were working with refuge providers to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on the availability of places.
"I would also like for us to be looking at perhaps kicking the perpetrator out, rather than the victim, so that she stays in her home safely... and the perpetrator has his behaviour addressed to stop this cycle of abuse," she said."I would also like for us to be looking at perhaps kicking the perpetrator out, rather than the victim, so that she stays in her home safely... and the perpetrator has his behaviour addressed to stop this cycle of abuse," she said.
The Domestic Abuse Bill would also focus on "stopping the perpetrator's behaviour in the first place", she said.The Domestic Abuse Bill would also focus on "stopping the perpetrator's behaviour in the first place", she said.
The bill, which has been postponed since before the general election, brings in new protections for victims - including Domestic Abuse Protection Orders and Protection Notices, which can be used to impose long-term bans on perpetrators making contact with the victim.The bill, which has been postponed since before the general election, brings in new protections for victims - including Domestic Abuse Protection Orders and Protection Notices, which can be used to impose long-term bans on perpetrators making contact with the victim.
Applying to England and Wales, it proposes the first government definition of domestic abuse, including financial abuse and controlling and manipulative non-physical behaviour.Applying to England and Wales, it proposes the first government definition of domestic abuse, including financial abuse and controlling and manipulative non-physical behaviour.
The Northern Ireland Assembly is also set to debate legislation to strengthen domestic abuse laws later. The Northern Ireland Assembly is also debating legislation to strengthen domestic abuse laws.
The government has always stressed that its Domestic Abuse Bill is proof of its determination to tackle a problem that has been described as an epidemic in the UK.The government has always stressed that its Domestic Abuse Bill is proof of its determination to tackle a problem that has been described as an epidemic in the UK.
The bill - drafted before the lockdown - creates a statutory definition of domestic abuse, emphasising it's not just physical: it can also involve coercive or controlling behaviour and financial constraints.The bill - drafted before the lockdown - creates a statutory definition of domestic abuse, emphasising it's not just physical: it can also involve coercive or controlling behaviour and financial constraints.
These provisions go to the heart of what could now be happening in homes up and down the country.These provisions go to the heart of what could now be happening in homes up and down the country.
Domestic abuse charities have seen a huge increase in calls and online requests for help during the lockdown.Domestic abuse charities have seen a huge increase in calls and online requests for help during the lockdown.
Victims are suffering both physically and emotionally in homes that are not places of safety. Many of the traditional escape routes have been cut off.Victims are suffering both physically and emotionally in homes that are not places of safety. Many of the traditional escape routes have been cut off.
A pandemic on top of an epidemic, as one victim described it.A pandemic on top of an epidemic, as one victim described it.
The funding for children's services follows an announcement of £2 million to bolster domestic abuse helplines and online support.The funding for children's services follows an announcement of £2 million to bolster domestic abuse helplines and online support.
But shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said the £3.1 million "falls woefully short" of what is needed to "support vital frontline services".But shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said the £3.1 million "falls woefully short" of what is needed to "support vital frontline services".
Labour's proposed amendments to the Domestic Abuse Bill would see 10% of the £750 million charity support package announced this month ring-fenced for domestic abuse charities.Labour's proposed amendments to the Domestic Abuse Bill would see 10% of the £750 million charity support package announced this month ring-fenced for domestic abuse charities.
He said the government must "act urgently" to help those affected.He said the government must "act urgently" to help those affected.
"Our society must not turn its back on some of the most at-risk people in this crisis, too much time has already been lost and action is needed now," he said."Our society must not turn its back on some of the most at-risk people in this crisis, too much time has already been lost and action is needed now," he said.
Speaking in the Commons ahead of the debate on the bill, Attorney General Suella Braverman stressed that victims will not be breaking the law if they need to seek help outside the home during lockdown. Speaking in the Commons before the debate, Attorney General Suella Braverman stressed that victims will not be breaking the law if they need to seek help outside the home during lockdown.
She told MPs: "I want to take this opportunity to let victims out there, both men and women, know that they don't have to suffer in silence."She told MPs: "I want to take this opportunity to let victims out there, both men and women, know that they don't have to suffer in silence."
Addressing the Commons via video link on Tuesday, former shadow home secretary Diane Abbott said more accommodation was needed for victims who fled their homes, and called on the government to acquire vacant hotel rooms to house them until decent alternatives could be found.
"We know that some hotel chains have offered to help with providing accommodation. These hotels should be taken up on that offer," she said.
Charities have called for the Domestic Abuse Bill to offer more support for victims.Charities have called for the Domestic Abuse Bill to offer more support for victims.
Its measures include requiring councils in England to provide support for victims and their children in refuges and other safe accommodation.Its measures include requiring councils in England to provide support for victims and their children in refuges and other safe accommodation.
However, Barnardo's chief executive Javed Khan said this must be broadened out.However, Barnardo's chief executive Javed Khan said this must be broadened out.
"With the majority of victims remaining in the family home, especially in BAME communities, it's vital that Parliament extends this duty to cover all victims and children - no matter where they live," he said."With the majority of victims remaining in the family home, especially in BAME communities, it's vital that Parliament extends this duty to cover all victims and children - no matter where they live," he said.
There are also calls for a new offence of "non-fatal strangulation" to be included, and for authorities to start collecting data on domestic abuse among the over-74s.There are also calls for a new offence of "non-fatal strangulation" to be included, and for authorities to start collecting data on domestic abuse among the over-74s.
For more information on organisations that can help if you are experiencing domestic abuse, visit BBC Action Line.For more information on organisations that can help if you are experiencing domestic abuse, visit BBC Action Line.