Asked by: Lord Bishop of Manchester (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to issue guidance encouraging local domestic abuse partnerships to engage formally with faith-based organisations and faith leaders as part of their local strategies for tackling violence against women and girls.
Answered by Baroness Blake of Leeds - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
This government is committed to supporting victims of domestic abuse as part of its ambition to halve violence against women and girls in a decade. Achieving this will require a whole of society approach, including from faith organisations, which play a vital role in supporting people and places to thrive.
Since 2021, Tier 1 local authorities in England have had a statutory duty to ensure that victims of domestic abuse and their children can access support in relevant safe accommodation when needed, backed by £499 million government funding over the period 2026-27 to 2028-29. Statutory guidance makes clear that in delivering the duty, local authorities should consider the needs of all victims; understand barriers to accessing support within relevant safe accommodation, including those linked to religion or belief; and ensure appropriate specialist support is available for victims with relevant protected characteristics, including religion or belief.
Local authorities must appoint and consult a domestic abuse Local Partnership Board including a representative of local charities or voluntary organisations supporting domestic abuse victims, and are encouraged to appoint additional members where this reflects local circumstances and need.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Manchester (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support local authorities to work with faith-based organisations as trusted community institutions for women at risk of domestic abuse.
Answered by Baroness Blake of Leeds - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
This government is committed to supporting victims of domestic abuse as part of its ambition to halve violence against women and girls in a decade. Achieving this will require a whole of society approach, including from faith organisations, which play a vital role in supporting people and places to thrive.
Since 2021, Tier 1 local authorities in England have had a statutory duty to ensure that victims of domestic abuse and their children can access support in relevant safe accommodation when needed, backed by £499 million government funding over the period 2026-27 to 2028-29. Statutory guidance makes clear that in delivering the duty, local authorities should consider the needs of all victims; understand barriers to accessing support within relevant safe accommodation, including those linked to religion or belief; and ensure appropriate specialist support is available for victims with relevant protected characteristics, including religion or belief.
Local authorities must appoint and consult a domestic abuse Local Partnership Board including a representative of local charities or voluntary organisations supporting domestic abuse victims, and are encouraged to appoint additional members where this reflects local circumstances and need.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Manchester (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to integrate faith-based organisations into local domestic abuse referral pathways.
Answered by Baroness Blake of Leeds - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
This government is committed to supporting victims of domestic abuse as part of its ambition to halve violence against women and girls in a decade. Achieving this will require a whole of society approach, including from faith organisations, which play a vital role in supporting people and places to thrive.
Since 2021, Tier 1 local authorities in England have had a statutory duty to ensure that victims of domestic abuse and their children can access support in relevant safe accommodation when needed, backed by £499 million government funding over the period 2026-27 to 2028-29. Statutory guidance makes clear that in delivering the duty, local authorities should consider the needs of all victims; understand barriers to accessing support within relevant safe accommodation, including those linked to religion or belief; and ensure appropriate specialist support is available for victims with relevant protected characteristics, including religion or belief.
Local authorities must appoint and consult a domestic abuse Local Partnership Board including a representative of local charities or voluntary organisations supporting domestic abuse victims, and are encouraged to appoint additional members where this reflects local circumstances and need.