Adam Dance MP calls for stronger protections for domestic abuse survivors in rural communities

Adam Dance has called on the Government to take urgent action to improve support for domestic abuse survivors in rural areas, raising concerns about gaps in housing, transport, and child maintenance enforcement during a recent debate in Parliament.

Speaking in Westminster Hall, Adam highlighted the unique challenges faced by survivors in rural communities, where limited housing availability often forces individuals fleeing abuse to be rehoused far from their support networks. He warned that poor rural transport links can leave survivors isolated from family, friends, and vital services at the point they need them most.

Adam also raised serious concerns about failures within the Child Maintenance Service. He spoke about how abusive ex-partners can exploit loopholes in the system to avoid making payments, allowing financial abuse to continue long after a relationship has ended.

During the debate, Adam shared the case of a constituent who is owed more than £15,000 by her ex-partner. Despite caring for disabled children, she has been left in significant financial hardship due to a lack of enforcement.

Adam called for Government guidance on child maintenance for survivors of domestic abuse to be written into law, including stronger measures to ensure payments are enforced and to prevent perpetrators from using the system as a tool of coercive control.

Adam Dance MP said:

“Survivors of domestic abuse in rural communities face unique challenges that are too often overlooked. When someone makes the brave decision to leave an abusive situation, they should not then be cut off from their support network because of a lack of local housing or transport.

“We must also address serious flaws in the Child Maintenance Service. It cannot be right that perpetrators are able to manipulate the system to avoid paying what they owe, continuing financial abuse long after a relationship has ended.

“One constituent I spoke to is owed more than £15,000 by her ex-partner and has been left in financial hardship while caring for her disabled children. This is simply not right.

“The Government must act to ensure fair payments are enforced and provide the funding rural communities need to properly support survivors.

“As the MP for Yeovil and South Somerset, I will continue to press for changes that ensure victims of domestic abuse are protected and supported every step of the way.”

Adam has also requested a meeting with Domestic Abuse Minister Jess Phillips to discuss how support for rural communities, including Somerset, can be improved as part of ongoing Government work on commissioning services.