Domestic abuse aid failings

Domestic abuse victims are falling through the net as a result of legal aid changes, research by Citizens Advice has shown. Victims are often required to make a financial contribution out of assets they share with their abusive partner, which they can’t access. In a survey of more than 300 advisers across the Citizens Advice Bureaux, only 12% had been unaffected by the legal aid changes that came into force in April 2013. Nearly one quarter cited issues with gathering evidence as a major barrier to resolving domestic abuse issues; one third reported fewer victims taking legal action; and 20% reported more victims representing themselves.