Refuge has reported a 25% increase in calls from its average of 270 calls per day to its national domestic abuse helpline in the week commencing 30 March. Hits to the national domestic abuse website www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk increased by 150% during the initial stages of the lockdown. Refuge chief executive Sandra Horley said the window for women to seek help is extremely limited and, during periods of isolation with their perpetrator, this window narrows even further.
Law Society President
Simon Davis said: ‘These figures are deeply concerning and are compounded by a
lack of physical access to the courts.
‘The
government guidance for emergency injunctions presumes victims can find a safe
space away from their abuser, fill in an application, provide a valid witness
statement and attend a telephone hearing. But social distancing has made it
even more difficult for victims to get time away from their abuser to ask for
help―leaving many trapped in an increasingly volatile situation.
‘The
government’s guidance should provide alternatives for those who are locked in
with their abuser and offer further support for those who have disabilities or
face language issues when access to advice services and physical courts is
limited. For those who do not qualify for legal aid and cannot afford a
solicitor, navigating a telephone hearing unrepresented can prove even more
complex than the usual court process.
‘Making
non-means tested legal aid available for domestic abuse cases would give
victims the legal support and access to justice they so desperately need.’
He urged the
government to relax the domestic abuse gateway regulations so solicitors can
certify an individual is a domestic abuse victim and allow them access to legal
aid. Davis said many victims rely on evidence from a doctor, which is difficult
to get at this time.
Meanwhile, HM
Courts and Tribunals has issued guidance for members of the public applying for
a domestic abuse injunction, at the invitation of Sir Andrew McFarlane,
President of the Family Division.
The guidance
explains how a person who seeks protection must now apply to the court for an
injunction by email or post, rather than in person.
Sir Andrew
said the guidance was ‘timely’ as he was ‘concerned that there might be an
enhanced need for the Family Court to provide protection from domestic abuse
for children and adults during this period of family lockdown’.
The guidance
can be found here: www.gov.uk/guidance/applying-for-a-domestic-violence-family-law-act-injunction-for-unrepresented-applicants.
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