DAVID Keane, the Warrington-based Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner, has joined a campaign to scrap the fee charged to domestic abuse victims seeking legal aid.
He is joining with 15 other police and crime commissioners across the country calling on health minister Jeremy Hunt to do away with the charge.
Mr Keane said: “It is essential that victims of domestic abuse are given the confidence to report the abuse they are suffering and are able to access the support and help they need to not only cope and recover, but also get justice. There should be no unnecessary barriers for victims to overcome. Therefore, I join my colleagues across the country in making the call to ‘scrap the fee.’”
Due to recent changes in the law, domestic abuse victims now have to apply for legal aid. However to qualify for support they need to provide specific evidence to prove that they have been subjected to such abuse. One of the accepted forms of evidence is a letter from a GP – a letter that some GPs are charging fees to provide.
Greater Manchester Mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd is one who is demanding a fair process for abuse victims.
He said: “That victims of domestic abuse are even being asked to prove they are victims before they can access legal aid is insulting, insensitive and wholly unhelpful.
“It should not be a privilege for victims of domestic abuse to gain legal aid. There should be no further burden on victims to chase a letter to verify their claim. The government needs to scrap this fee by bringing the service under NHS funding or – better still – scrap the need for the letter entirely.”
Not all GPs charge the fee – and fees can vary. But the campaigners want to see it scrapped altogether.
Anyone suffering domestic abuse in Warrington should contact Cheshire Police via the 101 line or, in an emergency, on 999.
Police commissioner joins “scrap the fee” campaign
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