Dear Editor,
It has been positive to see the Government recently pledge £76 million to support domestic and sexual abuse survivors, following the lobbying efforts of campaigners, charities and politicians.
City Hall has also stepped in and invested a further £1.5 million to ensure those fleeing violent homes can reach safe accommodation.
However, with the tragic and sharp increase in domestic homicides during the lockdown period, it is clear that more action needs to be taken.
Firstly, it is crucial that the Government reaches out to victims of domestic abuse with no recourse to public funds, who are anxious or unable to seek help.
With the Domestic Abuse Bill going through Parliament, they must also listen to the growing chorus of calls for a domestic abusers’ register.
We must also see Government bodies and the police outline their plans on how they will approach a likely uplift in domestic abuse reports once the current lockdown is lifted.
Fundamentally, we must continue to do more to protect those in the most desperate and vulnerable situations and to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.
The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is open 24 hours a day on freephone on 0808 200 0247.
Yours,
Onkar Sahota AM
London Assembly Member for Ealing and Hillingdon