Stephen spoke in the second reading of the Domestic Abuse Bill in the House of Commons on Thursday 15 April, pressing the government on the need to protect and extend the rights of migrant women who are survivors of domestic abuse.
The landmark Domestic Abuse Bill came back to the Commons this week after several amendments were tabled in the Lords. Stephen spoke in support of amendments 41 and 40 which would, respectively, seek to enshrine and extend protections for migrant survivors of domestic abuse in law and prevent public authorities from sharing survivors’ data for the purpose of immigration enforcement.
Currently, migrant survivors of domestic abuse face many challenges in accessing support. Most migrant women are subject to ‘No Recourse to Public Funds’ (NRPF) which means they cannot access housing benefit, often used to support refuge spaces. In Women’s Aid’s 2019 report ‘No Woman Turned Away’, NRPF was named as one of the five most common challenges for women seeking a refuge space.
Unlike the millions of people who have made a Universal Credit claim over the pandemic, migrant survivors with NRPF do not have this option, leaving many trapped with abusers. Survivors can apply for the destitute domestic violence concession (DDVC) allowing temporary leave and public funds access, but this is limited in scope. Only those on spousal visas or some family visas can apply, and temporary leave and public funds are only granted for three months.
Stephen said: “I hope the Government will urgently address the needs of migrant survivors of domestic abuse. At the moment, their access to support is being blocked. This needs to change.”