To receive and consider the recommendations of the Cabinet (Minute 270(a)) as an amendment to the following Notice of Motion submitted previously to the Council by Councillor Atkinson and referred thereto in accordance with Standing Order 8(2), namely
On 1st November the UK’s ratification of the Istanbul convention to prevent and combat violence against women and girls and domestic violence finally came into force.
However, the Government has reserved article 59 of the treaty opting out of protecting migrant women. By quietly reserving article 59 of the treaty, the Government is still failing some of the most vulnerable women living in Devon: migrant women.
The Government’s National Statement of Expectations on Domestic Violence sets out what local areas like Devon need to put in place to ensure their response to Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) issues is as collaborative, robust and effective as it can be so that all victims and survivors can get the help they need. The Home Office expects to see local strategies and services that, amongst other things, put the victim at the centre of service delivery.
This Council believes:
· The Devon County Council and UK Government not being obliged to provide VAWG support and protection to migrant women effectively reinforces the two-tier system of support for victims, as some remain discriminated against because of their migration status.
· The Government must immediately remove the reservation to this article and provide equal protection for every woman in need, irrespective of migration status.
· All women, regardless of where they come from, deserve protection against violence.
· That DCC resolves to make available to migrant women in Devon services and support that it provides for other women.
Having had regard to the aforementioned, any factual briefing/position statement on the matter set out in Report (LDS/23/1) and other suggestions or alternatives considered at that meeting the Cabinet subsequently resolved:
‘that Council is committed to ensuring that victims presenting for
domestic abuse support by local services commissioned by DCC receive the support they need and are not disadvantaged because of their status and therefore the Council will:
(a) work with local providers to explore how we can further improve access to support and services to be completely assured that no one is turned away on the basis of their immigration status;
(b) work with colleagues to understand how the issue presents itself in Devon within local migrant and settling communities (including those seeking asylum, those housed under the homes for Ukraine scheme and those housed in Home Office hotels, bridging hotels and in resettlement schemes);
(c) engage with organisations that already support and others that may be in a position to support this group to identify solutions that may minimise the impact of the reservation of Article 59 and ensure access to bespoke support; and
(d) create an opportunity to look at this issue in the context of the wider
system and engage stakeholders, particularly DWP, housing, health, generic support services, police and adult and children social care, in this conversation focused on increasing awareness and developing shared solutions’
Decision:
Councillor Hart MOVED and Councillor McInnes SECONDED that the Cabinet’s advice be accepted and
‘that Council is committed to ensuring that victims presenting for domestic abuse support by local services commissioned by DCC receive the support they need and are not disadvantaged because of their status and therefore the Council will:
(a) work with local providers to explore how we can further improve access to support and services to be completely assured that no one is turned away on the basis of their immigration status;
(b) work with colleagues to understand how the issue presents itself in Devon within local migrant and settling communities (including those seeking asylum, those housed under the homes for Ukraine scheme and those housed in Home Office hotels, bridging hotels and in resettlement schemes);
(c) engage with organisations that already support and others that may be in a position to support this group to identify solutions that may minimise the impact of the reservation of Article 59 and ensure access to bespoke support; and
(d) create an opportunity to look at this issue in the context of the wider
system and engage stakeholders, particularly DWP, housing, health, generic support services, police and adult and children social care, in this conversation focused on increasing awareness and developing shared solutions’
The amendment in the name of Councillor Hart was then put to the vote and declared CARRIED and subsequently thereafter also CARRIED as the substantive motion.
Minutes:
Pursuant to County Council Minute 168 of 8 December 2022 relating to the Notice of Motion set out below as previously submitted and formally moved and seconded by Councillor Barnes on behalf of Councillor Atkinson:
On 1st November the UK’s ratification of the Istanbul convention to prevent and combat violence against women and girls and domestic violence finally came into force.
However, the Government has reserved article 59 of the treaty opting out of protecting migrant women. By quietly reserving article 59 of the treaty, the Government is still failing some of the most vulnerable women living in Devon: migrant women.
The Government’s National Statement of Expectations on Domestic Violence sets out what local areas like Devon need to put in place to ensure their response to Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) issues is as collaborative, robust and effective as it can be so that all victims and survivors can get the help they need. The Home Office expects to see local strategies and services that, amongst other things, put the victim at the centre of service delivery.
This Council believes:
· The Devon County Council and UK Government not being obliged to provide VAWG support and protection to migrant women effectively reinforces the two-tier system of support for victims, as some remain discriminated against because of their migration status.
· The Government must immediately remove the reservation to this article and provide equal protection for every woman in need, irrespective of migration status.
· All women, regardless of where they come from, deserve protection against violence.
· That DCC resolves to make available to migrant women in Devon services and support that it provides for other women.
and having had regard to the advice of the Cabinet set out in Minute 270(a) of 11 January 2023:
Councillor Hart MOVED and Councillor McInnes SECONDED that the Cabinet’s advice be accepted and
‘that Council is committed to ensuring that victims presenting for domestic abuse support by local services commissioned by DCC receive the support they need and are not disadvantaged because of their status and therefore the Council will:
(a) work with local providers to explore how we can further improve access to support and services to be completely assured that no one is turned away on the basis of their immigration status;
(b) work with colleagues to understand how the issue presents itself in Devon within local migrant and settling communities (including those seeking asylum, those housed under the homes for Ukraine scheme and those housed in Home Office hotels, bridging hotels and in resettlement schemes);
(c) engage with organisations that already support and others that may be in a position to support this group to identify solutions that may minimise the impact of the reservation of Article 59 and ensure access to bespoke support; and
(d) create an opportunity to look at this issue in the context of the wider
system and engage stakeholders, particularly DWP, housing, health, generic support services, police and adult and children social care, in this conversation focused on increasing awareness and developing shared solutions’
The amendment in the name of Councillor Hart was then put to the vote and declared CARRIED and subsequently thereafter also CARRIED as the substantive motion.