Domestic Abuse Act 2021

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 introduced changes to law, including:

• a legal definition of domestic abuse
• the establishment of a Domestic Abuse Commissioner
• improvements to protections for victims in the courts
• duties on local authorities in England to provide accommodation-based services for victims of domestic abuse and their children

Domestic abuse is a serious human rights problem in England, Scotland and Wales.

We gave advice to improve the availability of support and protection for victims of domestic abuse. Our advice focused on the UK's national and international human rights commitments.

Our advice focused on three priority areas. We highlighted the need for:

• sufficient specialist support services provided in the community as well as in refuges, and available to all without discrimination
• protection and support for migrant victims
• improved protections for victims in the courts and consistency across all court jurisdictions