Baroness Gohir

Between the years 2016 and 2024, the Acas helpline received the following numbers of calls. Acas’ data on calls is not broken down into different religions and beliefs.

Since 31 January 2024 those who find themselves a victim of domestic abuse in the form of transnational marriage abandonment (TMA) can apply for entry clearance (Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE)) under Appendix Victim of Domestic Abuse to the Immigration Rules.

Data on the number of applications under the TMA route is published each quarter on gov.uk under the category ‘Settlement VDA LTE’: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/682b151450dbd3ce8372abb4/visas-status-and-immigration-data-q1-2025.ods.

The data shows there were 9 cases in 2024 Q1, 17 in Q2, 34 in Q3, 23 in Q4. For 2025 the data shows there were 12 cases in Q1.

Prior to this, cases of TMA were not distinguishable in published statistics. We will continue to monitor the prevalence of TMA cases over time.

The Home Office does not currently hold any grants with specific faith-centric specialist services regarding Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). The Home Office has supported a range of specialist 'by and for' services, including services for Black and minoritised women, and is assured that Muslim women are appropriately represented in the demographics of victims supported by those organisations.

On 28 November, the Government announced a funding increase of £30 million, meaning a total investment of £160m in the Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation Grant in 2025-26. This will enable local authorities to invest in essential support in frontline safe accommodation services. Furthermore, the Home Office has been able to continue the majority of grants held by Interpersonal Abuse Unit for the next financial year 2025-26. This includes support for migrant victims, delivery of the national VAWG Helplines, and specialist support for children affected by domestic abuse.

This Government is aware of the gaps in 'by and for' provision across England and Wales. The Duty to Collaborate provisions of the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 which, once implemented, will ensure a more strategic approach to local commissioning in England for victims of domestic abuse, sexual abuse and serious violence. It will require Police and Crime Commissioners, local authorities, and Integrated Care Boards to collaborate when commissioning and, as part of this, consult on, produce, and implement a joint local strategy and needs assessment which demonstrates how they are fulfilling this duty.

The Home Office does not currently hold any grants with specific faith-centric specialist services regarding Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). The Home Office has supported a range of specialist 'by and for' services, including services for Black and minoritised women, and is assured that Muslim women are appropriately represented in the demographics of victims supported by those organisations.

On 28 November, the Government announced a funding increase of £30 million, meaning a total investment of £160m in the Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation Grant in 2025-26. This will enable local authorities to invest in essential support in frontline safe accommodation services. Furthermore, the Home Office has been able to continue the majority of grants held by Interpersonal Abuse Unit for the next financial year 2025-26. This includes support for migrant victims, delivery of the national VAWG Helplines, and specialist support for children affected by domestic abuse.

This Government is aware of the gaps in 'by and for' provision across England and Wales. The Duty to Collaborate provisions of the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 which, once implemented, will ensure a more strategic approach to local commissioning in England for victims of domestic abuse, sexual abuse and serious violence. It will require Police and Crime Commissioners, local authorities, and Integrated Care Boards to collaborate when commissioning and, as part of this, consult on, produce, and implement a joint local strategy and needs assessment which demonstrates how they are fulfilling this duty.

The Home Office does not currently hold any grants with specific faith-centric specialist services regarding Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). The Home Office has supported a range of specialist 'by and for' services, including services for Black and minoritised women, and is assured that Muslim women are appropriately represented in the demographics of victims supported by those organisations.

On 28 November, the Government announced a funding increase of £30 million, meaning a total investment of £160m in the Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation Grant in 2025-26. This will enable local authorities to invest in essential support in frontline safe accommodation services. Furthermore, the Home Office has been able to continue the majority of grants held by Interpersonal Abuse Unit for the next financial year 2025-26. This includes support for migrant victims, delivery of the national VAWG Helplines, and specialist support for children affected by domestic abuse.

This Government is aware of the gaps in 'by and for' provision across England and Wales. The Duty to Collaborate provisions of the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 which, once implemented, will ensure a more strategic approach to local commissioning in England for victims of domestic abuse, sexual abuse and serious violence. It will require Police and Crime Commissioners, local authorities, and Integrated Care Boards to collaborate when commissioning and, as part of this, consult on, produce, and implement a joint local strategy and needs assessment which demonstrates how they are fulfilling this duty.

The Home Office does not currently hold any grants with specific faith-centric specialist services regarding Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). The Home Office has supported a range of specialist 'by and for' services, including services for Black and minoritised women, and is assured that Muslim women are appropriately represented in the demographics of victims supported by those organisations.

On 28 November, the Government announced a funding increase of £30 million, meaning a total investment of £160m in the Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation Grant in 2025-26. This will enable local authorities to invest in essential support in frontline safe accommodation services. Furthermore, the Home Office has been able to continue the majority of grants held by Interpersonal Abuse Unit for the next financial year 2025-26. This includes support for migrant victims, delivery of the national VAWG Helplines, and specialist support for children affected by domestic abuse.

This Government is aware of the gaps in 'by and for' provision across England and Wales. The Duty to Collaborate provisions of the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 which, once implemented, will ensure a more strategic approach to local commissioning in England for victims of domestic abuse, sexual abuse and serious violence. It will require Police and Crime Commissioners, local authorities, and Integrated Care Boards to collaborate when commissioning and, as part of this, consult on, produce, and implement a joint local strategy and needs assessment which demonstrates how they are fulfilling this duty.

The government is committed to providing a comprehensive service to monitor anti-Muslim hatred and providing support for victims, and on 2 April announced the Combatting Hate Against Muslims Fund. We are seeking grant applications to support organisations to provide a comprehensive service to monitor anti-Muslim hatred and support victims. We welcome applications from Tell MAMA as well as alternative providers.

The government has also made available £500,000 for funding Tell MAMA in 2025/26, to support their work for Q1 and Q2 of 2025/26. This is subject to their signing of a Grant Funding Agreement for 2025/26 which will detail the specific activities the funding will support.

The government condemns acts of psychological, emotional, and physical abuse against adults and children, as well as acts of coercive control - including where they occur in a religious setting or context. Where a crime is suspected to have taken place it is right that this is reported to the police. The Government is committed to tackling all forms of abuse against children. There are legal powers in place to protect children; and local authorities have a legal duty to investigate where they believe that a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm. And the Government is redoubling efforts to keep children safe in all settings – this includes updating guidance for staff and parents regarding out-of-school settings, strengthening guidance for local authorities on their legal powers to intervene, and an upcoming Call-for-Evidence to inform long-term proposals for safeguarding reform.

The Government has funded Tell MAMA since 2012 to monitor and support victims of anti-Muslim hatred. It is important that any organisation the department works with is aligned with our commitment to tackling all forms of hate crime and extremism.

As is the case for all partners funded by the Department, Tell MAMA are subject to regular internal grant funding processes and due diligence checks.

Each year, the Department and Tell MAMA sign a grant funding agreement which details objectives, deliverables and legitimate spend to deliver Anti-Muslim Hatred reporting services.

The Government has funded Tell MAMA since 2012 to monitor and support victims of anti-Muslim hatred. It is important that any organisation the department works with is aligned with our commitment to tackling all forms of hate crime and extremism.

As is the case for all partners funded by the Department, Tell MAMA are subject to regular internal grant funding processes and due diligence checks.

Each year, the Department and Tell MAMA sign a grant funding agreement which details objectives, deliverables and legitimate spend to deliver Anti-Muslim Hatred reporting services.

The Government has funded Tell MAMA since 2012 to monitor and support victims of anti-Muslim hatred. It is important that any organisation the department works with is aligned with our commitment to tackling all forms of hate crime and extremism.

As is the case for all partners funded by the Department, Tell MAMA are subject to regular internal grant funding processes and due diligence checks.

Each year, the Department and Tell MAMA sign a grant funding agreement which details objectives, deliverables and legitimate spend to deliver Anti-Muslim Hatred reporting services.