The Domestic Abuse Bill was debated in Parliament on Wednesday.
Written by Flora Thompson, Belfast Telegraph
Laws proposed to protect victims of domestic abuse are “nowhere near perfect” and are missing key elements which would guarantee “vital” support and funding, campaigners have said.
The Domestic Abuse Bill was among those brought to a halt when Prime Minister Boris Johnson decided to prorogue Parliament.
The Government said a fresh version of the proposed legislation was expected to be highlighted in a Queen’s speech to mark a new Parliamentary session.
But because prorogation was deemed unlawful by the Supreme Court, this will no longer take place as Parliament has resumed, meaning discussions on the original Bill continue to progress.
It has its second reading in the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon, which is the first opportunity for MPs to debate the proposals.
Charity Women’s Aid told the PA news agency it welcomes the progress being made on the Bill after a series of delays but it remains concerned over key provisions missing from the current proposals and said it would only be successful if it is underpinned by “substantial funding” for services.
