UK Watchdog Lambasts Government for Failing Domestic Violence Survivors

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – A UK House Committee on Justice expressed concern that the still-high number of domestic violence survivors unable to get legal assistance means the government is failing to do its duty, after spending cuts saw its legal aid budget dwindle.

About 39 percent of victims of domestic violence in Britain cannot qualify for legal aid due to lacking the required evidence, the UK parliamentary watchdog said in a report published Thursday, pointing to a slight reduction from 43 percent registered in 2013.

The report by the Justice Committee studied a 2012 law, which was designed to make significant cuts to the legal aid budget. Under the legislation, which abolishes legal assistance in the majority of family law cases, only proven victims of domestic violence are entitled to legal aid.

"We note with concern the evidence from the Rights of Women survey suggesting 39% of women who were victims of domestic violence had none of the forms of evidence required to qualify for legal aid. Any failure to ensure that victims of domestic violence can access legal aid means the Government is not achieving its declared objectives," the report by the Justice Committee said.

The report stated that funding for exceptional cases was envisaged by the legislation as a safety net for the most vulnerable. However, this scheme failed to meet this objective, the Justice Committee said.

The committee suggested that a so-called catch-all clause needs to be added to the current legislation, which would grant legal aid to those who cannot fit the existing gateway requirements.

Legal aid cuts have triggered controversy and debate among politicians in the UK, as they restrict access to public aid in certain types of cases, including divorce, child contact, welfare benefits and others, leaving only a small number of exceptions.