Information about policy and laws affecting women, especially abuse and violence

[womannotcis]

Hi all,

I'm a long-term MN member and poster, but have namechanged for anonymity.

This is for a job I'm applying for in the field of preventing domestic violence.

I need to research policy and legislation, now and planned, which has an impact on this area.

So far (and I'm just sitting down to start my research) I have: the proposed changes to the 2004 GRA; and changes to housing benefits affecting women's refuges: (www.theguardian.com/society/2017/nov/26/womens-lives-at-risk-funding-changes-refuges-charities).

What else needs to be on that list, please?

The so-called "rape clause", which limits Universal Credit payments to two children, unless the claimant can "prove" rape. It is not uncommon for domestic abuse to include forced pregnancy. The rape clause forces women to disclose not at a time of their choosing. It also forces women to prove that they have left the abusive relationship - this causes conflict with the new laws about coercive control because it's not always that easy to leave, let alone make a totally clean break.

Universal credit makes claimants wait 6 weeks for the first payment.
For working parents, it's not paid in months with 5 weeks.

Thank you, both.

IDK if this is any help;

''Domestic violence policy and legislation in the UK: a discussion of immigrant women's vulnerabilities''
webjcli.org/article/view/531/715

Closing shelters or allowing biological men to use them prevents many women from leaving.

What about the ridiculous situation in the family courts where domestic abusers decide to represent themselves and then re-abuse their victims by cross-questioning them in court?

Justice Hayden spoke about this in a judgement and I think it was Labour MP Peter Kyle who spoke about it in Parliament.

Any use?

www.aroomofourown.org/a-uk-guide-for-non-lawyers-about-protecting-women-only-spaces-june-2016/

Thank you - all of it is very useful - the more I know the better.

Crossover between DA and MH conditions. Abuser than becoming 'carer' for woman with MH problems that they have caused or contributed to.

Are all professionals involved with woman with mental health conditions trained in spotting DA, especially coercive control.

Should woman with mental health conditions especially post partum be cared for be exclusively biologically female staff.

Rights of Women have lots of good info especially about the ways in which immigration law impacts women affected by DV.

Further to the universal credit legislation.

Self employed people are assumed to be working for a minimum of 35 hours - even if they do not.

Women are often self employed as it fits in with childcare therefore it may disproportionately affect women.

Thanks again 😊