Refuge responds to Common Assault time limit extension
Ruth Davison. Refuge CEO said:
‘This is a huge win and a victory for women and girls experiencing domestic abuse. Refuge is delighted that the government has listened to, and heard, our campaign with Women’s Aid Federation of England and the Centre for Women’s Justice, as well as the voices of the brave survivors, like Erica Osakwe, who have spoken out about their experiences and helped achieve change.
Too many women have been ‘timed out’ of accessing justice, with the arbitrary 6-month time limit. It can take many months, even years, for survivors of abuse to feel ready and able to report their experiences. This change means thousands of women will have access to justice that they had previously been denied.
Refuge is grateful to Yvette Cooper MP, Baroness Newlove and all our supporters who have taken action, and applauds the government for taking this vital step to help protect women and girls experiencing domestic abuse’.
ENDS.
For more information or to arrange an interview contact the press office on email press@refuge.org.uk
About Refuge:
About Refuge:
Refuge supports thousands of women and children on any given day, and runs the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, which is the gateway to accessing specialist support across the country. More than one in four women in England and Wales experiences domestic abuse at some point in their lifetime, and two women a week are killed by a current or former partner.
Please signpost to Refuge’s National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247, available 24 hours a day 7 days a week for free, confidential specialist support. Or visit www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk to fill in a webform and request a safe time to be contacted or to access live chat (live chat available 3pm-10pm, Monday to Friday). For support with tech abuse visit refugetechsafety.org.