THE Domestic Abuse Bill has been a long time coming, with a consultation that started back in March last year. It has put a figure on the economic and social costs of domestic abuse to society  — £66 billion for victims in 2016 to 2017.

Leading organisations say they want to know much more about resources for the work they do, including money to provide decent housing for survivors.

They point to some gaps in the 200-page document, claiming that the needs of children have not been adequately addressed.

Charity Hestia chief executive Patrick Ryan said: “825,000 children live in a home where domestic abuse takes place, yet they are not entitled to specialist support. That’s why UK Says No More, run by Hestia, has been calling for the Bill to include ‘protected waiting list status’ for all children affected by domestic abuse to ensure they get the support they need.”

At the moment, if a child is waiting to see a GP or other practitioner in one borough, and has to flee with the mother to a refuge in another area, he or she goes to the bottom of the waiting list. Hestia argues that children should be a priority, and they are particularly concerned about youngsters’ mental health. Some 55 per cent of children who witness abuse in the family home will go on to experience domestic abuse as an adult.

Women’s Aid chief executive Katie Ghose is among many who welcome the Bill’s move in introducing a ban on abusers cross-examining victims in the family courts. But she wanted more support.

“Although this new law is much welcomed, it alone will not protect survivors in the family courts and challenge the ‘contact at all costs’ approach by judges which is putting children in danger. We look forward to working with the government to introduce greater protections in the family courts for survivors, like special measures to safeguard them in the courtroom, and ensure that children’s safety is put at the heart of all decisions made by the family courts.

She added: “We welcome the additional funding to increase support for survivors with additional needs, like disabled women, older women and women who have no recourse to public funds as a result of their immigration status. We know from our work with survivors that these women have faced often insurmountable barriers to escaping domestic abuse, and this much-needed funding will go some way towards helping them rebuild their lives free from abuse. But it is not enough. The government must deliver the resources needed as well as legislation to make a real difference to survivors’ lives.”

Sandra Horley, chief executive of Refuge, said: “Sadly, it comes as no surprise to Refuge that domestic abuse is costing the British public £66 billion per year. Our staff know only too well the scale and hidden nature of domestic abuse in the country, with one in four women affected during their lifetime.

“But the government must go further and tackle some of the critical problems we see on a daily basis, such as housing and quick access to welfare support for survivors when they flee abuse.

“If [the Bill’s] aim of ‘transforming the response to domestic abuse’ is to be achieved, more investment will be required.”

You can call the National Domestic Violence Helpline 24-hour freephone on (0808) 2000-247