House of Commons – July 6, 2020 – 73

New Clause 23 - Commissioning specialist domestic abuse services for victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse ‘(1) It is the duty of relevant public authorities in England and non-devolved relevant public authorities in Wales in the exercise of their functions to commission sufficient specialist services for all persons affected by domestic abuse regardless of status. (2) To ensure compliance with the duty under subsection (1) public authorities must— (a) regularly assess population and support needs changes in their area;

(b) take account of any strategy to end violence against women and girls adopted by a Minister of the Crown;

and (c) co-operate to discharge the duty. (3) The Secretary of State may issue regulations making provision for the resolution of disputes between public authorities relating to the discharge of the duty under subsection (1). (4) In relation to the provision of domestic abuse support as defined by section 54(2), each relevant local authority may discharge the duty under subsection (2)(a) through compliance with its obligations under section 54(1)(a). (5) In performing the duty under subsection (1) a relevant public authority must secure sufficient specialist services for (among others) the following persons— (a) any victim of domestic abuse aged over 18;

(b) any child aged under 18 who experiences or witnesses domestic abuse;

(c) any person aged over 18 who exhibits abusive behaviour towards another person to whom they are personally connected;

(d) any child aged under 18 who exhibits abusive behaviour towards another person to whom they are personally connected. (6) In performing the duty under subsection (1), a relevant public authority must where necessary secure specialist services designed to meet the particular needs of a group that shares a status to ensure appropriate and effective service provision. (7) In this section— “abusive behaviour” is behaviour that is abusive within the definition in section 1(3).