No one should suffer in silence while they are subjected to domestic abuse and exploitation
Responding to the Safe to Share? report published today (17 December) by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Service (HMICFRS), APCC Victims Leads, Sophie Linden, London’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime & Julia Mulligan, North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner said:
“We welcome this report which confirms that the practise of police sharing victims’ immigration information with the Home Office has deterred victims of crime from reporting to the police. This has to change – no one should suffer in silence while they are subjected to domestic abuse and exploitation.
“Police and Crime Commissioners welcome the clarity and consistency of policing which will hopefully come as a result of this report, and we thank Liberty and the Southall Black Sisters for shining a light on this incredibly important issue. But we would like to see further action. In particular, consideration should be given to legislating to ensure there is an effective firewall to ensure victims of domestic abuse do not have their details shared with the immigration authorities.
“PCCs play a crucial role by providing support services to victims of crime, including specialist support services for the most vulnerable in our society. We must do more to strengthen and promote the availability of these services to migrants and other hard-to-reach victims so they know where to turn for help when they need it most.”