Faith leaders say legal aid Bill will hurt domestic abuse victims

The Government's plans to cut legal aid will harm domestic abuse victims in "dire need" of support, faith leaders have warned.

The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill proposes withdrawing legal aid in civil cases that relate to clinical negligence, debt, housing, welfare, employment and family disputes.

It would also narrow the definition of evidence so that accessing a charitable service such as a women’s refuge, having police attend a domestic violence incident, and medical records would all be deemed insufficient.

A coalition of 10 faith leaders has written to the Secretary of State for Justice describing domestic abuse as "one of the greatest ills in our society" and warning of the potential harm to victims should the Bill go through.

The letter states that the proposed limitations on evidence could leave victims “without access to support, even when they may still be at risk of further abuse”.

Signatories of the letter include the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Southwark, the Anglican Bishop of Leicester, and the Chief Executive of the Jewish Board of Deputies.

They warn that the Bill will prevent many people experiencing domestic abuse from accessing legal aid that may be essential for obtaining injunctions against abusive partners or securing the custody of children.

The Bill, which goes to the House of Lords today, risks undermining the progress made by successive governments in tackling domestic abuse, they further warn.

"Legal aid is nothing short of essential for many victims of domestic abuse to escape the horrendous circumstances that they face," the letter states.

"Without this support they would be unable to secure recourse in relation to fundamental issues such as injunctions, housing or access to children, potentially trapping them in a cycle of mistreatment and fear.

"It is clear that legal aid frequently allows for the resolution of domestic abuse cases before they escalate, in some cases avoiding serious injuries or even loss of life.

"We welcome the government’s decision, reflected in the Bill, to protect the provision of legal aid in many cases where domestic abuse is involved.

"Yet, by deviating from the standard definition of domestic abuse utilised across government departments and police forces, the Bill risks restricting the overall number of cases entitled to support, and consequently causing harm to many individuals and families."