Welsh Women’s Aid is pleased that the UK Government is looking at changing the way that Child Maintenance Payments are collected and transferred. However, we are concerned that there have been a number of missed opportunities to ensure that survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence and economic abuse are better protected and considered.
55% of new applicants to the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) say that they or their child has experienced domestic abuse1. We also understand that not all survivors of violence against women and girls, domestic abuse and sexual violence disclose their experiences, so the true statistic is much higher. Removal of financial and economic resources is often a tool of financial and economic abuse.
The UK Government’s own data states that only 2 in 5 receiving parents actually receive payments on time2, with 40% of parents not receiving any child maintenance at all. These delays and denials to financial and economic resource are increasing inequalities experienced by survivors. It is clear that changes are needed to ensure that survivors are supported by a system that understands the impact that missed payments can have, particularly on those that have experienced domestic abuse.
While all survivors of domestic abuse should be using the Collect and Pay service, in reality they receive inconsistent information and face unclear eligibility criteria. Survivors who opt for Collect and Pay — a system designed to protect them from direct contact with their abuser — are charged a 4% fee. This forces many survivors to choose between financial penalties or risking dangerous, family-based arrangements. The system must do better to support and protect survivors. Survivors often find themselves making the choice of risking potentially dangerous family based arrangements to avoid the fees. Proposals suggest a reduction to 2%.
The tax on protecting survivors must end.
Survivors of domestic abuse should not be paying for the ‘privilege’ of having the government step in and deal with the perpetrator in relation to payments.
Since 2021, applications to CMS have steadily been increasing, mainly due to experiences of domestic abuse3. Changes must be made to the Child Maintenance Service if survivors are to feel safe and able to access to financial resources they need to be able to support their children. Not only is the proposed 2% charge to receiving parents an unnecessary fee in order to access necessary governmental services, but it also takes vitally needed resources from children during a cost of living crisis.
The government must take urgent action if it is to properly support survivors through the Child Maintenance Service. Assurances need to be given that proper training is provided to case handlers in order to provide the proper tools to recognise domestic abuse. The UK Government must also ensure survivors of domestic abuse and their children are not financially penalised for seeking child maintenance support.
No survivor should have to pay for the right to be protected.
Additional guidance is available here: Child Maintenance Service Guide for Survivors.pdf
If you or anyone you know needs support, help is available to you now. The Live Fear Free Helpline can provide confidential advice or support around domestic abuse, sexual violence or violence against women. It is available 24/7, 7 days a week. Call 0808 80 10 800, text 07860077333 or email [email protected]. You can also access the Live Fear Free Helpline online chat by heading to: https://www.gov.wales/live-fear-free/contact-live-fear-free.
For press enquiries, contact [email protected]
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