Domestic Violence: Refuges

Lord Laming Excerpts

Tuesday 25th November 2014 Lords Chamber

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

The noble Baroness raises an important point. I have met with Women’s Aid, which does an incredible amount of work, and I am sure that it will acknowledge the support that the Government are extending, not just with this new funding, which will help local authorities, but to deal with these issues of domestic abuse. Noble Lords should know that 77 women were killed last year from domestic abuse in the UK; I am sure that, for all of us, that is 77 women too many.

[Lord Laming (CB)]

My Lords—

[Lord McColl of Dulwich (Con)]

My Lords—

[Noble Lords]

Cross-Bench!

[Lord Laming]

What wonderful support, my Lords. Can the Minister assure the House that steps are being taken to equip police forces and accident and emergency units to make sure that adults and children at risk are identified at the earliest possible stage and given the right kind of protection that they need, rather than be sent back into these dangerous situations?