Domestic Abuse victims left without legal help
Domestic violence victims are being left to fight their abusers in court without legal representation in thousands of cases.
Figures from the House of Commons library show that in the family courts, in 2019, one or more parties were left without any legal representation in more than 9 out of 10 cases.
More than 26,000 people in England and Wales (92%) fought cases without a solicitor. This figure has risen by 10% per cent on 2011. Over the same time there was a rise from 12% to 3% in the proportion of cases where neither applicant nor respondent had a lawyer.
The Ministry of Justice also admitted that, of applicants who alleged they were abused, only around 66 per cent were legally represented in the family courts.
Labour MP Ellie Reeves, the shadow solicitor general, said, "Cuts to the CPS and legal aid have left many victims without access to the justice they deserve."
The party also called on the Government to do more to protect victims of serious sexual offences after figures showed cuts in Crown Prosecution Service funding resulting in a dramatic fall in prosecutions.
Just 2,747 rape and serious sexual offences cases were referred by police to the CPS in 2019/20, a drop of 40% in three years. This number is the lowest since figures were first published in 2014/15.
Labour's domestic violence spokesman, Jess Phillips, said, "The Government is letting down victims of domestic violence and serious sexual offences. This is nothing short of a crisis. Ministers must act now."
A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said, "Victims of domestic abuse are eligible for legal aid, subject to a means and merits test. We're reviewing the means test. The Government's Domestic Abuse Bill will also transform the response to this hideous crime to better protect victims."
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