One Year of the Domestic Abuse Act Today (29 April) marks one year since the Domestic Abuse Act being passed into law. The key objectives of the Act are to raise awareness and understanding about the devastating impact of domestic abuse on victims and their families, to further improve the effectiveness of the justice system in providing protection for victims of domestic abuse and bringing perpetrators to justice, and to strengthen the support for victims of abuse by statutory agencies.

Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Bill receives Royal Assent The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act received Royal Assent on 28 April. The Act raises the legal age of marriage in England and Wales to 18, from the current 16 with parental or judicial consent. It also creates a new offence of arranging a child marriage without the use of coercion. It is already illegal to arrange a child marriage with the use or threat of violence or other abuse.

Nationality and Borders Bill receives Royal Assent Following agreement by both Houses, the Nationality and Borders Bill received Royal Assent on 28 April. The Bill is now an Act of Parliament (law). The Nationality and Borders Act will deter illegal entry into the UK, breaking the business model of people-smuggling networks, and speed up the removal of those with no right to be in the UK.

Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill receives Royal Assent The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts (PCSC) Act received Royal Assent on 28 April. The Act equips the police with the powers and tools they need to combat crime and create safer communities while overhauling sentencing laws to keep serious sexual and violent offenders behind bars for longer.

Support for Ukraine The Ukraine Family Scheme allows family members of British nationals, UK settled persons and certain others to come to or stay in the UK. The Homes for Ukraine scheme allows individuals, charities, community groups and businesses in the UK to bring Ukrainians to safety – including those with no family ties to the UK.  Sponsors can record their interest on this webpage. The Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme allows Ukrainian nationals and their family members to come to the UK if they have a named sponsor under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme. It is free to apply. More information for Ukrainians in the UK, British nationals, and their family members (including translated information) is available on this factsheet. You can download Home Office factsheets and translated social assets with further information on the Ukrainian Family Scheme, to print or use on your social channels here.

DLUHC: Elections Bill receives Royal Assent The Elections Bill received Royal Assent on 28 April 2022, meaning voters across the UK will benefit from greater protection against election fraud, more support for disabled people at the polling booth, and measures to prevent intimidation at the ballot box.

Campaign Materials

The government is running a number of campaigns for vulnerable audiences. We would be grateful if you could share campaign materials and messaging on your channels, and with your networks. ‘Enough.’ Aims to challenge perpetrators and raise awareness of what we can all do to safely call out abuse. Please find attached a partner pack which includes more information on the campaign, and materials which you can share on your channels. 

Stop Abuse Together aims to empower parents and carers to take steps to help keep the children in their life safe. Please see the digital toolkit for the campaign. All children have a right to be safe from sexual abuse, and we all have a role to play in keeping them safe. Let’s #StopAbuseTogether.

ParentWise is designed to build parents’ and carers’ understanding of the range of harms their child could be exposed to. It includes a partner pack to help them spot the signs that something could be wrong and empower them to act if they are worried.

#YouAreNotAlone aims to raise awareness and signpost to information and support available for victims, family/friends and perpetrators of domestic abuse. On GOV.UK there is full guidance and easy read guidance on getting help for Domestic Abuse. Campaign materials and updated assets, including a partner pack, is available to download.

The Ask for ANI scheme is operating in independent, Boots and Superdrug pharmacies. Posters and social media assets are available to download. For more information, materials or to provide feedback, please email [email protected].

The #ItStillMatters Campaign is assuring survivors of sexual violence and abuse that it is never too late to get support. Information is given on National Helplines, as well as how to access support locally. Please find the toolkit attached.

Stakeholder News and Campaigns

The Internet Watch Foundation published Annual Report

The Internet Watch Foundation published its annual report on the 26 April, which coincided with its 25th anniversary, where the Home Secretary, amongst others, spoke at a lunch to celebrate their work. They have also begun 25 days of posts on social media to promote their work. End-to-End Encryption (No Place to Hide) campaign

End-to-end encryption, without adequate safety protections, poses a fundamental challenge to our efforts to protect children online. Barnardo’s, Marie Collins Foundation, Stop It Now! And SafeToNet launched the End-to-End Encryption campaign with support from Government. The campaign aims to inform public opinion on the issue of end-to-end encryption and the implications for children’s safety online, putting pressure on social media companies to put child safety at the centre of their designs.