Backing to ban charging domestic violence victims to access legal aid
Some GP's are charging victims for vital referral letters.
Cleveland’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Barry Coppinger, has backed a national campaign to end chargers for domestic violence victims to access legal aid.
At the moment victims applying for legal aid are required to provide evidence that they have in fact experienced domestic abuse.
A letter from a GP is one form of evidence accepted in order to receive aid, however many GP’s are charging up to seventy-five pound to provide this single letter.
PCC Barry Coppinger believes that this is the wrong way to treat people who are at risk and have been brave enough to come forward.
“In a civilised society we would think that we would treat victims and vulnerable people in a much better way and we would actually be supporting them instead of putting barriers and obstacles in front of them” Barry Coppinger Cleveland Police Crime Commissioner
Together with charity My Sister’s Place they are calling for the legal aid board to change the criteria in order for victims to get support.
They are also asking all GP’s to stop charging vulnerable women a fee to write a letter as evidence they have experienced domestic abuse.
The charge for these letters can range to as much as £75 and when these women have nothing, the charges are putting them off seeking further help.
Northumbria Police PCC Vera Baird has asked all GP’s to stop charging for a simple letter as it can stop vulnerable people getting deserved help.