Domestic Abuse: Victims and Survivors

Lord Loomba Excerpts

Thursday 12th December 2024 Lords Chamber

[Lord Loomba (CB)]

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Baroness, Lady Chisholm, for initiating this vital debate. Domestic abuse devastates lives, families and communities. Despite increased awareness and legislative progress, the scale of the issue remains alarming. According to the Office for National Statistics, 2.4 million adults aged 16 to 74 in England and Wales experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2022. Domestic abuse not only inflicts a heavy emotional toll but imposes significant financial costs. The Home Office estimates the total cost to be £78 billion a year, which includes healthcare, lost economic output, and housing and support services. The human cost—the loss of safety, dignity and sometimes life itself—is incalculable.

While the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 marked significant progress, critical gaps in appropriate provision persist. Refuges—a lifeline for survivors—remain underfunded and oversubscribed. In 2022, Women’s Aid reported that as many as one in five women referred to refuges were turned away due to lack of space. This shortfall is even more acute for ethnic-minority survivors, who face additional barriers, including language challenges and cultural stigmas.

Another pressing issue is the rise of technology-facilitated abuse. Online harassment, the misuse of surveillance tools and digital manipulation have become common tactics for abusers. Research shows that 71% of domestic abuse victims have experienced some form of online abuse, and we are struggling to address this evolving threat.

It is also vital to think of children in these situations. Exposure to domestic abuse affects their emotional and psychological well-being and can result in long-term harm. Adequate funding for services supporting child survivors in child and family social care is crucial to breaking this cycle.

In light of these challenges, I ask the Government to address two questions of particular concern. First, what plans do they have to ensure that there is sustained and adequate funding for specialist domestic abuse services? Secondly, how do they intend to address the rise of technology-facilitated abuse, ensuring both victim protection and accountability for perpetrators in the digital age?