dissertation on domestic violence uk

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AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE IMPACT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PERPETRATOR PROGRAMMES ON CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

ALDERSON, SUSAN (2015) AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE IMPACT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PERPETRATOR PROGRAMMES ON CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE. Doctoral thesis, Durham University.

As men’s intersecting identities as fathers and as perpetrators of domestic violence is increasingly acknowledged in research and practice, the issue of safe parenting has gained heightened attention on the social work agenda. Alongside this, domestic violence perpetrator programmes (DVPPs) in the UK have incorporated the issue of children’s safety and the harmful parenting of domestically violent fathers within their programme content. However, there is a lack of research on DVPPs that take into account the views of children and the outcomes for them of their father’s engagement in the programme. This thesis contributes to the literature on domestic violence and children in two ways; it closes the gap on outcomes for children of their fathers participation on a DVPP, and presents a new way of gathering data from children. While there was some reference in the literature to using task based methods as inquiry, this was quite general. A multi-methodological multi-stage approach was taken to explore how a positive outcome for children might be conceptualised. This consisted of thirteen interviews with children using a bespoke child friendly task-based research tool (research book), eleven interviews with DVPP workers, observation of a DVPP session on children and young people, and an online survey of forty-four Respect member domestic violence integrated services. Key findings reveal that despite a desire to improve the situation of children very few organisations provide a direct support service to the children of men on programmes. Findings also reveal that one of the barriers to children moving on is the silence regarding their father’s participation on a DVPP, and that few children are informed of their father’s engagement on a programme. DVPP workers also reveal that the specific work undertaken on the issue of parenting within programme content is beginning to close a gap in provision by addressing child-centred fathering while simultaneously addressing men’s use of violence. Findings suggest that for domestically violent fathers, these sessions enhance their awareness of the impact of their violence and also function as a means for men to improve their relationship with their children and to become a ‘better father’. Children’s interview data substantiate these findings with children reporting through the task based research book, their positive thoughts and feelings about their father’s participation on a DVPP. This thesis describes how, and to what extent children themselves benefit, providing a unique perspective regarding the nature scope and adequacy of domestic violence services and the outcomes for children.

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An Overview of Recent Improvements in the Rules and Regulations of Domestic Violence (2018)

Fundamental concerns arising from domestic abuse is a major issue that is affecting most parts of the world. The reported cases and trends of abuse in relationships and within families are increasing despite the improvement in rules and regulations about domestic violence. Despite the UK government enacting numerous regulations and rules, they have had minimal impact in reducing the rising rates of domestic violence. The dissertation focused on rates and trends of domestic violence in the UK despite the changes in regulations and how the government can improve its operations to mitigate the high rates.

Furthermore, the dissertation found out the need for improvement in measures that the non-government organizations and the government have set in place to protect the victims of violence and reduce the cases of domestic abuse. The dissertation suggested that there is need to broaden the scope of awareness through educational programs. The government should adopt other measures that will aim at preventing the occurrence of such vices and safeguard the lives of victims.

The main purpose of this dissertation was to develop an understanding of the various prominent cases of domestic violence that exist in the UK over the past three decades. The paper focused on the various case scenarios that are prominent with both men and women as victims of domestic violence. Thus, the paper highlighted multiple contexts of domestic violence to show how men and women are victims especially women who are abused by their partners.

The dissertation also found out the reason why women are the most affected in domestic violence, and most of them do to report such cases. The study made a comparative analysis of the various domestic violence cases and state laws to safeguard the victims between the UK and the US. The comparison helped in understanding the steps taken by the UK government to stop and reduce the cases of domestic violence in the country. The comparison was based on the United Nations standards, and this helped in giving a limelight on the legal structure of the UK and its initiative to reduce such cases.

Many studies have focused on a comparison between the rates of domestic violence in other countries but have failed to compare the state laws in various countries and how they have reduced the rates of domestic violence. The main aim of the dissertation study was to focus on the rates and trends of domestic violence in the UK for the past three decades despite an increase in the government efforts to enact more rules and regulations. The objectives of this study included:

• To evaluate the impact of improved laws and regulations on the reduced cases of domestic violence in the UK for the past three decades
• To analyse the most prominent and serious domestic violence cases in the UK for the past three decades
• To establish the differences in the way US has dealt with domestic violence cases better than UK government
• 17,000 words – 62 pages in length
• Excellent use of literature
• Excellent analysis of subject area
• Well written throughout
• Ideal for sociology students

1 – Introduction Contextual Background Research Problem Aims and Objectives of Research Research Questions Dissertation Rationale Significance of the Study Structure of the Study

2 – Literature Review Definition of Domestic Violence Domestic Violence Theories Critical Feminist Theory Social Learning Theory The Experiences of Men and Women as Victims of Domestic Violence Violence Against Women as the Minority Ethnic Group Patterns of Recent Domestic Violence in the UK Improvement in Federal Laws on Domestic Violence Comparative Analysis of Domestic Violence in US and UK

3 – Methodology and Research Design Research Paradigm Research Approach Investigation Type Research Design Research Strategy Data Collection and Analysis Research Limitations Ethical Considerations

4 – Findings and Discussions Rates and Trends of Domestic Violence in the UK Explanation of Trends of Domestic Violence using Feminist Theory Explanation of trends and rates of domestic violence using social learning theory Changes and Improvements in the UK Laws Effectiveness of the improved changes in the UK law How changes could be done differently and adopting perspectives from US

5 – Conclusions and Recommendations Conclusion Recommendations Future Implications

Bibliography

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Doctoral College

Doctoral theses, the limitations of the legal response to domestic violence in england and wales: a critical analysis.

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Centre for Academic Primary Care

Domestic and sexual violence and abuse.

Current projects

• Co-developing a programme theory and framework for evaluating trauma-informed organisational interventions in UK community mental health care: a qualitative study (TAP CARE MH study) . Lewis N (PI), Dheensa S. Funder: NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre (2024-2026).

ISS-DAPP: The role of survivor-support services integrated within domestic abuse prevention programmes (DAPPs). Morgan, K. and Cramer, C. (PIs). Funder NIHR, Research for Social Care  (2023-2025).

• TAP CARE GP Study: Informing development of an organisational intervention to strengthen primary care readiness to provide trauma-informed care: a multimethod qualitative study . Lewis N (PI). Funder: NIHR School for Primary Care Research. (2022-2024).
• CancerDA: Enhancing the cancer workforce response to domestic abuse. Dheensa S (PI). Funder: Macmillan Cancer Support with Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse
• Primary and community care staff as survivors of domestic violence and abuse (PRESSURE) study . Gregory A, Dheensa S, Keeling J .  Funder: NIHR School for Primary Care Research (2022-2023)
• Primary care response to domestic violence and abuse in the COVID-19 pandemic: interrupted time series and qualitative study (PRECODE) . (Feder, Szilassy, Barbosa, Lewis, Griffiths, Dowrick, Panovska-Griffiths). Funder: UKRI-MRC £262,804. Start/end dates: 14/11/2020-30/06/2022.
• Recording and sharing of domestic violence and abuse information in healthcare (RASDIH) . Dheensa, S. (PI). Funder: UK government via Pathfinder consortium and UKRI (2020-2021)
• Building resilience in the ‘forgotten heroes’ : Improving informal support for women experiencing domestic violence . Gregory, A (PI). Funder: AXA Research Fund (2019-2021)
• Advancing theory and treatment approaches for males in substance misuse treatment who perpetrate intimate partner violence (ADVANCE). Gilchrist, G. (PI), Feder, G., Dheensa, S . Funder: NIHR Programme Grant for Applied Research (2018-2022).
• YARAH study: Determinants and health sequelae of intimate partner violence and abuse in young adult relationships: a mixed methods study . Barter C, Feder G (PI) , Fraser A, Heron J, Howe L, Szilassy E . Funder: Medical Research Council (MRC) (2018-2022)
• REPROVIDE  - Reaching Everyone Programme of Research on Violence in Diverse Domestic Environments.  Feder G ,  Bailey J , Aghtaie N,  Blacklock N, Carey J,  Cowlishaw C ,  Cramer H , Gilchrist G, Hegarty K, Hester M,  Hollinghurst S , Howard L, Johnson M,  Peters T , Sardinha L,  Szilassy E , Simon J, Williamson E, Roy J, Ziebland S. Funder: NIHR Programme Grants for Applied Research (2016-2023)
• Feasibility of a reconfigured domestic violence and abuse training and support intervention responding to affected women, men, children and young people through primary care.  Szilassy, E., Coope, C., Emsley, E., Williamson, E., Capelas Barbosa, E., Johnson, M., Dowrick, A and Feder G. 

Completed projects

• Trauma-informed approaches within health systems: a mixed methods systematic review . Lewis N (PI), O'Brien E, Perera D, Dawson S. Funder: NIHR Research Capability Funding (2021-2022)
• Healthcare responding to violence and abuse (HERA) . Bacchus L, Lambert H, Colombini M,  Evans M ,  Lewis N , Knipe D, d'Oliviera AF, Schraiber L, Pun KD, Koju R, Rishal P, Shaheen A, Alkaiyat A, Rajapakse T, Garcia-Morena C,  Feder G . Funder: NIHR Global Health Research (2018-2022)
• Training healthcare providers on trauma-informed care: a mixed-methods systematic review .  Lewis N  (PI),  Gamlin C , Malik U,  Dawson S . Funder: NIHR Research Capability Funding (2021-2022)
• Improving the primary healthcare response to violence against women in low and middle income countries. Bacchus L, Colombini M, Johnson M, Alkaiyat A, Sandouka R, Schraiber L, d'Oliviera AF, Shaheen A,   Najjab S, Melman J, Vasconcelos Xavier,  D, Feder G . Funder: MRC Global Challenges Research Fund (2017-2019). 
• EMiNA : Evaluation of Migrant women's Needs regarding domestic violence Abuse.  A Heawood, G Feder, M Evans, N Khelaifat . Avon Primary Care Research Collaborative; NIHR Research Capability Funding 

Advancing theory and treatment approaches for males in substance misuse treatment who perpetrate intimate partner violence (ADVANCE). Gail Gilchrist (PI). Funder: NIHR Programme Grant for Applied Research (2018– 2022).

• Recording and Sharing Domestic Violence and Abuse Information in Healthcare (RASDIH). Dheensa S (PI). Funder: UK government via Pathfinder consortium and UKRI (2020–2021)
• Categories and health impacts of intimate partner violence in the World Health Organization multi-country study on women’s health and domestic violence . Potter LC, Morris R, Hegarty K, Garcia-Moreno C, Feder G.
• Trauma-informed approaches in primary care and community mental health care: developing a UK specific model (TAP CARE study) .  Natalia Lewis, Shoba Dawson,  Angel Bierce,  Katrina Turner, John Macleo d, Stan Zammit,  Gene Feder.  Funder: NIHR Bristol BRC Directors Fund (2019-2020).
• Head injury in the context of domestic violence. A qualitative study to investigate survivor stories of head trauma and experiences of help-seeking for this health issue. The project also involves a feasibility study to determine whether it is possible to recruit survivors of domestic violence to a neuropsychological research project and conduct a battery of psychometric tests.  Smith A, Lewis N  and  Feder G  (2018-2020). 
• coMforT study ( M indfulness for  T rauma) - Intervention refinement and feasibility trial of a trauma-informed mindfulness intervention for survivors of domestic violence and abuse with post-traumatic stress disorder .  Lewis N (PI), Malpass A, Gregory A ,  Millband S, Hawcroft C,   Pitt K ,  Halliwell G , Zammit S,  Kessler D, Morris R , Round J,  Feder G . Funder: NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Bristol (2017-2020)
• IRIS pharmacy  - Including community pharmacies in responses to women with experience of domestic violence and abuse.  Lewis N  (Principal Investigator),  Feder G ,  MacLeod J ,  Fraser A ,  Horwood J , Northstone K, Moore T, Redaniel T, Jackson J, Richards A, Stone T, Whiting P, Sohal A, Morgan G. Funder: NIHR CLAHRC West at University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and NIHR CLAHRC North Thames at Barts Health NHS Trust.   (2016-2018)
• Supporting Survivors project - Exploratory and pilot study of a peer-led group-based programme for survivors of sexual abuse, rape and sexual assault.  Gregory A (PI), Johnson E, Feder G, Pitt K ,  Perôt C , Campbell J, Konya J, Esther N, Richards J. Funder: Sir Halley Stewart Trust and the GP South West Trust (2018-2019)
• VEGA (Violence Evidence Guidance Action) - Experiences of identification and initial response to children's exposure to intimate partner violence: qualitative systematic review and thematic synthesis. Lewis N (PI), Feder G, Howarth E, Szilassy E , McTavish J, MacMillan H, Wathen N. Funder: Public Health Agency of Canada, Avon Primary Care Research Collaborative and NIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (NIHR CLAHRC) North Thames (2016-2017)
• Preventing the ripple-out effect: development of proactive support for the friends and family members of domestic violence survivors .  Alison Gregory . Funder: Elizabeth Blackwell Institute as an Early Career Fellowship (2016-2017)
• IRIS ADViSE : Using sexual health services to support people who have experienced domestic violence and abuse. Jeremy Horwood, Sarah Blake and Gene Feder (University of Bristol) , Neha Pathak, Alex Hardip Sohal and Chris Griffiths (Queen Mary University of London), Judith Berry and Jayne Bailey (University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol Sexual Health Centre) and Vanessa Apea (Barts Health NHS Trust, Sexual Health, London). Funded by NIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care West and the Wellcome Trust
• PATH:  Pilot for an individually randomised, parallel group controlled trial to determine if a psychological intervention delivered by domestic violence advocates is effective and cost-effective.  G Feder , M Evans,  R Agnew Davies , C Metters, F Saeed, D Sharp. NIHR School for Primary Care Research. 
• VOICES  (ViOlence: Impact on Children Evidence Synthesis) - the impact on children of exposure to domestic violence and the implications for a primary care response: a systematic review and secondary analysis of qualitative evidence,  Alison Heawood  (co-PI),  Alison Gregory  (co-PI),  Gene Feder , Theresa Moore, Emma Howarth, Harriet Macmillan, Nicky Stanley.
• EOS: Experiences of Survivors - Domestic violence and abuse: hearing women's voices. Evans M .
• Preventing domestic abuse for all children. Hollinghurst S . 
• Supporting the supporters: A study to investigate the needs of those informally supporting domestic violence survivors (friends, relatives and colleagues) and their interactions with helpline staff,  Alison Gregory  and Anna Taylor (Funded by: NIHR SPCR Primary Care Scientist Launching Fellowship)
• Longitudinal measurement of cortisol in association with mental health and experience of domestic violence and abuse (CEASE study) . NIHR School for Primary Care Research.  N Lokhmatkina , S Lightman, R Morris, V Powers, S Blake, G Feder. April - December 2012

On the outside looking in: the shared burden of domestic violence .  A Gregory . PhD studentship funded by NIHR School for Primary Care Research. Supervisors: Gene Feder and Emma Williamson

LARA:  Linking Abuse and Recovery through Advocacy - an observational study. L Howard,  G Feder  ,  R Agnew Davies . NIHR Research for Patient Benefit.

PROVIDE : improving the response of health services to domestic violence.  G Feder ,  R Agnew Davies , L Bacchus, M Hester,  S Hollinghurst , L Howard,  T Peters, D Sharp , E Williamson. NIHR applied research programme grant.

PEACH:  Scoping the evidence on preventive interventions in domestic abuse for children and young people in the general population. N Stanley, J Ellis, S Downe,  S Hollinghurst , S Bailey. NIHR Public Health Research Programme

DREAM : Describing and reporting women's experiences of abuse measurement.  M Evans, G Feder, A Malpass, E Howarth.  NIHR Research for Patient Benefit

RESPONDS  (Researching Education to Strengthen Primary care On Domestic violence & Safeguarding). Building the knowledge and practice gap between domestic violence and child safeguarding: developing training for general practice.  G Feder , M Hester, N Stanley, K Hegarty, D Barran,  E Szilassy , C Larkins, A Firth, J Drinkwater. DoH: Policy Research Programme

IMPROVE : Improving outcomes for children exposed to domestic violence.  G Feder , M Hester,  E Howarth , H MacMillan, N Stanley, N Welton,  A Heawood ,  T Moore . NIHR

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If you are worried about your dissertation topics on domestic violence, contact us. We have a list of dissertation topics on domestic violence and other various fields. Also, we can help with history and human rights topics. In addition, you can find a range of the latest undergrad and master’s thesis topics. Let us help you in completing your research successfully.

Best Dissertation Topics on Domestic Violence for masters and undergraduate students

Here is the list of dissertation topics on domestic violence for college students:

• Psychiatric treatment effect on domestic violence trauma on the victim – case review
• What are the emotional factors associated with domestic violence? – a literature review
• To analyze the triggers which affect domestic victims and the coping strategies.
• To study the victim of child abuse – a survey analysis.
• To explore the elderly domestic violence – a case analysis in the UK
• Do you think the change in law and order can reduce domestic violence?
• Impact of ethnic background on Domestic violence – a literature review
• To study the difference in domestic violence in rural and urban areas.
• To evaluate the role of media in creating awareness of domestic violence.
• To study male domestic violence in developed countries.
• Study on the survivors of domestic violence – survey analysis
• Can a domestic violence survivor live a normal life?
• What triggers the child abuse survivors? – an emotional survey review
• Partners domestic violence rate in the UK.
• Study of Domestic Violence in Asian countries.
• An analysis of the effects on life and behavior of children who face domestic violence daily in their life.
• Study on normal children and children who went through domestic violence.
• Study on male domestic abuse – the causes and impact on their personality and behaviour
• How to save people from domestic violence? – strategies and approaches.
• An analysis of campaigns to protect people from abusers of domestic violence.
• To study the comparison between child abuse and elderly abuse.
• Study on the workload of a domestic violence victim.
• Can animal abuse affect the mind of children? An observational review
• To study domestic violence children victim behavior.
• What do you think of the sexual molestation of children by their father? Does this count as domestic violence?
• To explore porn effects in the minds of people.
• What is the best time to walk away from an abusive relationship? According to abuse survivors.
• A country with domestic violence victims – A UK analysis
• What is the role of UNA in Domestic violence?
• Alcoholic people are mostly domestic violence abusers.
• Different types of Domestic violence reported in the Asian countries – a comparative analysis
• A systematic review of domestic violence rate in Pakistan and India in the past 10 years.
• What is the recent initiative taken by the government to suppress domestic violence in the country?
• A study on victims of domestic violence turns into abusers.
• To study Statistical changes in domestic violence since the ’90s.
• What are the long-term effects on domestic violence victims?
• Should create an Online survey for the people who are living or facing the same situation.
• How do give immediate protection to the victims? – medical facilities and security.
• Make victims feel safe – a comparative analysis of strategies.
• Is depression permanent for domestic victims? – a survey analysis.
• To study domestic violence victims who choose suicide as a relief from their pain.
• Victims choose drugs as a relief from their pain – what do health practitioners recommend?
• To explore different religions preaching about Domestic violence.
• Study on victim-blaming – a survey review in the UK market?
• Study to syndromes which occur from domestic violence.
• Lack of education is also a cause of Domestic violence.
• Caregiver violence to people with disabilities – case reviews
• To study domestic violence in cross cultures – a secondary analysis
• Religious punishment for domestic abusers – a case review
• To investigate sibling abuse. What is the reason behind sibling abuse?

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• UK Visas and Immigration

Migrant victims of domestic abuse concession (accessible)

Updated 5 September 2024

© Crown copyright 2024

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: [email protected] .

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/victims-of-domestic-violence/migrant-victims-of-domestic-abuse-concession-accessible

About this guidance

This guidance explains the eligibility criteria to apply for temporary permission to stay in the UK under the Migrant Victims of Domestic Abuse Concession (MVDAC) formerly known as the Destitute Domestic Violence Concession (DDVC).

If you have any questions about the guidance and your line manager or senior caseworker cannot help you, or you think that the guidance has factual errors, then please email Domestic Violence Immigration Policy.

If you notice any formatting errors in this guidance (broken links, spelling mistakes and so on), or have any comments about the layout or navigability of the guidance, then please email the Guidance Rules and Forms team.

Publication

Below is information on when this version of the guidance was published:

• version 4.0 (formerly titled destitute domestic violence concession (DDVC))
• published for Home Office staff on 04 April 2024

Changes from last version of this guidance

This guidance has been updated to reflect changes to the Immigration Rules made in Statement of Changes HC 590, laid on 14 March 2024.

Introduction

This concession provides a short period of independent immigration status and financial support to certain partners who are victims of domestic abuse, allowing them to leave an abusive relationship to a position of safety and support. During this three-month period of permission to stay the victim must do one of the following to address their immigration status:

• apply for permission to stay in a relevant immigration route
• apply for settlement on form SET (DV) where they are eligible to do so under Appendix Victim of Domestic Abuse (Appendix VDA)
• make arrangements to leave the UK

This concession (which previously only provided for a victim of domestic abuse in the UK with permission as a partner under Appendix FM or Appendix Armed Forces) was expanded from 16 February 2024 to provide a three-month period of status and temporary support to a migrant victim of domestic abuse in the UK as a dependent partner of a migrant in the UK with permission on a work route or as a student. This is in addition to the previous policy of providing the same period of immigration status and temporary support to a victim of domestic abuse in the UK with permission as a partner under Appendix FM or Appendix Armed Forces (Appendix VDA from 31 January 2024).

This policy extension responds to the findings of the Support for Migrant Victims (SMV) Scheme (initially run as a pilot between July 2021 and July 2022, to support migrant victims of domestic abuse who do not have access to public funds to access safe accommodation).

From 4 April 2024, the eligibility for the Migrant Victims of Domestic Abuse Concession (MVDAC) was further expanded to include a spouse, civil partner or durable partner under Appendix EU with pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (including where that was granted or is now held on the basis of retained rights), and their dependent children.

The policy does not provide for all victims of domestic abuse and not everyone granted permission under this concession will be eligible to apply for settlement under Appendix VDA.

Policy intention

The overall intention of the policy is to protect eligible migrant victims of domestic abuse and their children, and thus support the most vulnerable by:

• providing an eligible victim of domestic abuse a period of 3 months’ permission to stay independent from their partner
• providing an ability to apply for recourse to public funds to enable financial support where required
• facilitating an application for permission to stay in a relevant immigration route, apply for settlement on form SET (DV) as a victim of domestic abuse if eligible under Appendix VDA, or make plans to leave the UK during a short period of lawful status, financial stability and support from specialist services

This is a policy concession outside the Immigration Rules, due to the unique nature of the applications and speed in which decisions must be taken to best support eligible victims.

This policy does not provide for migrants here with status in their own right, such as students and workers, who already have status independent from their abuser and should be financially independent as assessed in their initial application to enter the UK and can retain their current status if they choose, with additional support from the SMV scheme and the charity sector available. Nor does the policy provide for illegal entrants or those who entered the UK temporarily, for example as a visitor who overstayed, as it would be contradictory to the Government’s overall approach to illegal migration.

Any previous permission held is varied automatically upon being granted permission under the Migrant Victims of Domestic Abuse Concession (MVDAC).

Eligibility

This page tells you the requirements which must be met for an applicant to qualify for temporary permission outside the immigration rules, under the Migrant Victims of Domestic Abuse Concession (MVDAC).

For the purpose of this guidance, the definitions are the same as those set out in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, and in the Domestic Abuse Statutory Guidance .

Eligibility for this concession is limited to those who are, or have last been granted permission as, one of the following:

• a partner under Appendix FM (except for permission as a fiancé or fiancée or proposed civil partner) of a person who is a British citizen, settled in the UK or a European Economic Area (EEA) national in the UK with limited leave to enter or remain granted under paragraph EU3 of Appendix EU on the basis of meeting condition 1 in paragraph EU14 of Appendix EU
• a spouse, civil partner or durable partner under Appendix EU with limited leave to enter or remain as a family member of a relevant EEA citizen (or of a qualifying British citizen), as a joining family member of a relevant sponsor or as a family member who has retained the right of residence, granted under paragraph EU3 or EU3A of that Appendix
• a partner under Appendix FM, Part 11, or Appendix Family Reunion (Protection) of a person with permission as a refugee
• a partner of a person present and settled in the UK under paragraph 285 or 295E of Part 8
• a partner under Appendix Armed Forces or Part 7 (except for permission as a fiancé or fiancée or proposed civil partner) of a person who is or was a member of HM Armed forces
• or as a partner of a person with permission to enter or stay on a work route or as a student
• the applicant’s relationship has broken down due to them being a victim of domestic abuse
• the applicant requires a short period of permission to stay independent from their sponsor partner or lead student or worker applicant
• the applicant wants the option to apply for access to public funds

EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

A person may be granted limited leave to enter or remain under Appendix EU (also referred to as pre-settled status under the EUSS) as a spouse, civil partner or durable partner of a relevant EEA citizen (or of a qualifying British citizen or relevant sponsor), where they are, or for the relevant period were, party to a marriage, in a civil partnership or in a durable partnership, with that relevant EEA citizen, qualifying British citizen or relevant sponsor. This means that they can apply under this route where they were granted pre-settled status as the spouse, civil partner or durable partner of that person (including where they have since become a ‘family member who has retained their right of residence’ under Appendix EU, by virtue of their relationship with that person) or where they were granted pre-settled status as a ‘family member who has retained the right of residence’ under Appendix EU.

Other than dependent children, other family members who have or last had pre- settled status under the EUSS are ineligible under this route. Any family members who have or last had an EUSS family permit are also ineligible under this route.

For more information on how the EUSS and the EUSS family permit provide for victims of domestic abuse, under those routes. For more information, see the section ‘A family member who has retained the right of residence’ in EU Settlement Scheme: EU, other EEA and Swiss citizens and their family members and EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit and Travels Permit.

Work routes

Most of the categories under the Immigration Rules relate to work. Not all work routes allow for dependent partners to be granted permission, but, where they do, those partners are included under this concession.

A work route is defined broadly as any route that involves an economic purpose. It includes long standing routes such as UK Ancestry, closed routes such as Turkish worker / businessperson and newer routes such as High Potential Individual.

Work routes can all be found on the work in the UK page at GOV.UK.

By way of an exception, dependent partners under the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) route are excluded from eligibility under this concession. That is because they can apply for further permission and settle independently of their partner on the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) route after a relationship breaks down and they can make a change of conditions application should they need access to public funds.

Applicants can include any dependent children under the age of 18, or who are aged over 18 at the date of application if they were last granted permission as the dependent child of their parent or parents and are not leading an independent life, who need to apply for 3 months’ permission under the concession. This is most likely to be when the dependent child is also reliant on the partner’s sponsor for their immigration status. In all cases, a parent of the child must have been, or is at the same time being, granted permission under the concession.

If a dependent child already has settlement or is a British citizen but is included on the form, then you should disregard this.

Application process

This page describes the application process.

A person seeking permission to stay under the Migrant Victim of Domestic Abuse Concession (MVDAC) must complete and submit the LOTR (DVV) form to the Home Office at [email protected] .

Postal applications will be accepted, although processing times are likely to be longer. Postal applications should be sent to:

DV Duty Officer Permanent Migration Department 84 Level 4 The Capital Old Hall Street Liverpool L3 9PP

As part of the notification form LOTR (DDV) , an applicant must sign the declaration confirming that they give their consent for the Home Office to disclose details of their case to any third parties to assist them in their application, such as a refuge, social services, legal representatives or the Department for Work and Pensions.

You must confirm receipt of the notification by email where possible. The Home Office aims to process notifications within 5 working days of receipt.

Deciding an application

This page tells you about deciding an application for permission to stay under the Migrant Victim of Domestic Abuse Concession (MVDAC).

Granting permission to stay

Those who meet the criteria of the MVDAC must be granted leave outside the rules (LOTR) for three months on conditions permitting employment with no prohibition on recourse to public funds (code 1A). This will vary any permission currently held by the applicant.

You must send them a letter which confirms you have granted LOTR and issue a status document conferring that status by way of a biometric residence permit (BRP).

You should confirm in that letter whether the applicant is eligible to make an application for settlement under Appendix VDA via form SET(DV) or whether they are not eligible to do so. The letter granting LOTR will inform applicants that they must submit any further application, including a SET(DV) if eligible, before the expiry date of their permission. If an application is validly made before the expiry date, the applicant will benefit from section 3C leave until their application is decided.

If an applicant fails to submit another application before the expiry date of their permission and has not already left the UK, they will become an overstayer, losing entitlement to public funds, and may be removed from the UK.

You must inform the applicant in that letter they should make a separate application to the Department for Work and Pension (DWP) to receive public funds which will be assessed against the normal DWP criteria.

A grant of permission under the MVDAC is recognition that an applicant declared themselves a victim of domestic abuse who required immigration status independent from their partner because of the relationship breaking down because of domestic abuse, with recourse to public funds where eligible, and does not guarantee that any subsequent application for permission under the Immigration Rules will be granted.

Where the person has made an in-time application (where they hold extant permission or status at the date of application), and the permission or status expires before a decision is made, that permission, or status and associated conditions will be extended by Section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971 (Section 3C leave) until they receive their decision. This protects a person who makes an in-time application to extend their permission from becoming an overstayer while they are awaiting a decision on that application and while any appeal or administrative review they are entitled to is pending.

For example, if a person with 3 months LOTR under the MVDAC with an expiry date of 10 May 2024, makes a valid SET (DV) or other immigration application on or before 10 May 2024, their LOTR will continue automatically until they receive a decision on their immigration application. If the immigration application is refused, and the applicant has a right of administrative review or appeal which they exercise within the specified deadline, the LOTR will continue automatically until the administrative review or appeal is concluded.

Refusing permission to stay

This page tells you how to refuse an application under the Migrant Victim of Domestic Abuse Concession (MVDAC).

If the applicant fails to meet the criteria to qualify for permission to stay under the concession you must:

• notify the applicant in writing
• return all documents
• update Home Office records

If an applicant applies under the MVDAC when they already have permission under the concession, then that application should be refused.

Reconsiderations

There is no right of appeal or administrative review against a refusal under this concession, or an automatic right for a refusal to be reconsidered. Requests should only be reconsidered where it is suggested that the policy has been incorrectly applied. Any reconsideration must be agreed by a senior caseworker.

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Murderer who stabbed man to death in drunken rage could soon be back on our streets

The ECHO can also reveal Colin Eedle was recalled on licence in 2022 after breaching his conditions following allegations of domestic violence

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A violent thug who brutally stabbed a young man to death in a drunken rage could soon be back out on our streets after he was deemed to no longer be a risk to the public. Colin Eedle murdered Steffan Bell at a house in Skelmersdale when he repeatedly stabbed the 22-year-old in the chest and lungs.

Eedle, who came from a well-known south Liverpool family , was found guilty of murder the following year and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was released on parole in 2015 after spending 14 years behind bars. However, his licence was revoked and he was recalled to custody on June 17 2022.

The ECHO can reveal for the first time this was because of allegations of domestic violence and concerns that he had not been fully open about his employment. However, the ECHO can reveal that Eedle, who was 21 when sentenced and now 44, was granted parole following the culmination of a hearing on July 17 this year.

Mr Bell's mum Gaynor previously told the ECHO her son's killer was a "violent and dangerous man" . However, details obtained by the ECHO have revealed the Parole Board panel deemed "imprisonment was no longer necessary for the protection of the public". The panel said it came to this decision after considering "the circumstances of his offending and time on licence" and "the progress made while in custody".

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Ms Bell issued a victim impact statement to the Parole Board which was considered by the panel. Ms Bell previously provided the statement to the ECHO which said: "The effect of this heinous crime on Steffan’s son has been devastating throughout his life, and he has had counselling but still will not talk about his dad.

"My son Ryan has found life difficult, especially losing his elder brother Adam killed by a drink driver and then Steffan being murdered . Again, he will not discuss Steffan or Eedle. The ripple effect throughout the family and our friends is so hard to witness. When Eedle committed this crime, Judge Openshaw said in his closing statement: 'You will not be coming out of prison for a very long time, if ever.'

"I clung on to those words and was devastated when he was released. The effect on me personally is that my health has deteriorated because I do not care about myself and think of the life my son has missed, not seeing his own son grow up to be a pillar of the community.

"Never to know any grandchild he may have in the future. I believe Colin Eedle will always be a danger to the public and should continue to serve an appropriate sentence to reflect what he has done to my family by his own chosen actions, to murder my son Steffan ."

The Parole Board panel said Eedle previously had a number of risk factors that made him more likely to reoffend. These included "a willingness to resort to violence, a willingness to use threats to intimidate others, a willingness to use weapons, problem drinking, using illegal drugs, not dealing well with problems in relationships, finding it difficult to make good decisions, and not being able to control extreme emotions".

However, the panel determined the murderer had undertaken accredited programmes and training courses, and "had demonstrated application of relevant skills and learning while in custody". The panel added Eedle had developed positive relationships with family, friends and in the community.

The panel ultimately decided Eedle would be able to be managed in the community and will be subject to licence conditions including requirements to reside at a designated address; monitoring including drug testing and a specified curfew; an exclusion zone to avoid contact with victims; and continued work to address defined areas of risk.

During his time in prison, Eedle was involved in continued trouble-making. He was involved in multiple fights and damaged property, with one officer referencing "intimidating and confrontational behaviour...and certain allegations of bullying. He also accessed a mobile phone and posted sick messages on Facebook , including one that said: "I came into this world kicking and screaming while covered in someone else's blood. I have no problem with going out the same way. "

The ECHO also understands he fathered a child when on home leave from open prison conditions. Ms Bell previously received documentation from the Court of Appeal that listed Eedle's previous convictions that were never mentioned in open court during his appeal process.

The document, which was sent to Ms Bell the evening before Eedle appeared before the parole board panel in July, said Eedle had 14 previous convictions for 21 offences including assault occasioning actual bodily harm , four offences of being drunk and disorderly, two of assault on a constable and offences of possessing an offensive weapon in public and affray.

Ms Bell previously told the ECHO that Eedle has refused to look at her when she has seen him at previous parole appearances. She previously said: "He murdered my son in a cowardly, vicious attack. He's still a coward now."

Mr Bell was a friend and employee of Eedle's brother Darren, and was picked up by the pair after finishing a shift at a factory where he had been keeping watch. After abusing Mr Bell, Eedle attacked him with a large kitchen knife and delivered several blows to his scalp, cheek and chest . Mr Bell was pronounced dead at the scene.

Eedle, who claimed to have no recollection of the incident due to his alcohol consumption, was told by Judge Peter Openshaw : "This was a truly terrible murder. Your victim was entirely blameless," before later adding: "It will be very many years before you can be released safely into the community, if ever."

Ms Bell, from Aughton, has campaigned relentlessly against knife crime, including an anti-violence campaign with fellow bereaved mothers Liz Moss and Anita Culshaw, whose sons were also killed in the region. Their photos were pictured on giant billboards across Liverpool as part of a campaign that carried the message: " Every violent crime has a consequence ."

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