Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the number of refuges for BAME women that have closed in the last twelve months.

Domestic abuse is a life-shattering and absolutely abhorrent crime. Refuges play a valuable role, and for some victims, they will be the best option for them.

My Department does not hold information on the number of refuges for BAME women that have closed within the last twelve months.

We expect local areas to assess their need of services and support for victims of domestic abuse and to provide for that need.

The MHCLG Priorities for Domestic Abuse Services, which sets out what steps local areas should take in their response to domestic abuse, includes the need to consider provision for BAME victims. Our Priorities for Domestic Abuse Services are clear that local areas should respond to the needs of all domestic abuse victims, including those from isolated and/or marginalised communities, such as BAME women.

We encourage all commissioners to work with their local BAME specialist providers and assess properly the needs of all BAME victims.