MSE News: Revealed: GPs charging domestic violence survivors £100+ to sign legal...

peachyprice

Sicard wrote: »

So I suppose a female having her face punched until it's black and blue, treated like she's worthless and her head stamped on by some thug is equal to other deserving cases for legal aid.

As for the baiting issue it is still a real issue and the fee is rubbing salt into the wounds of those victim's of such a crime.

How is that woman more deserving than any other man (or woman) having his face punched until it's black and blue, treated like he's worthless and his head stamped on by some thug under different circumstances?

It's a real issue for ANY VICTIM who is eligible for legal aid, why is that so difficult for you to understand?

Person_one

Sicard wrote: »

So I suppose a female having her face punched until it's black and blue, treated like she's worthless and her head stamped on by some thug is equal to other deserving cases for legal aid.

This is what happens when you start making unjustified cuts to essential services like legal aid.

A DV victim shouldn't have to be in some sort of awful competition with victims of other crimes or those suffering through other gruelling legal issues as to who is more deserving. Everybody should have the right to seek justice, to use the legal system if they need to.

Ronaldo_Mconaldo

All this whinging and complaining and throwing up of straw men (and women) but where's the real victims and suffering? And no I don't mean attention seekers of day time TV selling their story. Give us some real examples of genuine suffering and then I might just care but right now it all seems fine to me. Cut services to save us all money.

GlasweJen

My brother had to pay for his doctor to fill in forms when he was attacked in broad day light in a robbery/attempted murder. He has permanent scars to his face and neck and had to get 2 sets of forms done, the initial ones for the physical damage and the second set was about the mental impact. He was awarded victim compensation of just a couple of thousand and the young people who did it served less than 3 years in prison and are now out and about getting on with their lives.

peachyprice

GlasweJen wrote: »

My brother had to pay for his doctor to fill in forms when he was attacked in broad day light in a robbery/attempted murder. He has permanent scars to his face and neck and had to get 2 sets of forms done, the initial ones for the physical damage and the second set was about the mental impact. He was awarded victim compensation of just a couple of thousand and the young people who did it served less than 3 years in prison and are now out and about getting on with their lives.

Exactly! Who is fighting for victims like your bother to get their forms for free too?

Robisere

How does the medical profession uphold their own Hippocratic Oath, with taking money from victims of crime? If the victim is a battered spouse who is also homeless and without any financial resources, is that not also a severe potential health issue?

phillw

Sicard wrote: »

So I suppose a female having her face punched until it's black and blue, treated like she's worthless and her head stamped on by some thug is equal to other deserving cases for legal aid.

Not all domestic violence victims are female. Choosing to get involved with someone who beats you doesn't make you more worthwhile than someone who just walks down the wrong alley & your gender definitely doesn't make you more worthwhile (people from both sexes will disagree but they are all wrong). Playing top trumps with victims is heartless.

It's unlikely that doctors will swallow the cost and it's not really an NHS responsibility. Legal aid is being reduced all the time as we aren't prepared to pay higher tax to fund it.

I thought domestic violence cases were covered by the police and cps though as it's a criminal case, so only the defendant would need legal aid (you are just a witness/evidence). I am interested in the details of what cases this applies to.

I am also interested why the change was introduced, were women exploiting the system before?

TBagpuss

It applies to cases where the victim is applying for an injunction - including an injunction to exclude their (ex) partner from previously shared home, or to protect someone in situation where the abuse falls short of the type of serious physical assault which would result in a prison sentence.

Injunctions are often needed to buy someone time to sort out more permanent solutions. They also give greater security as they are typically for a fixed period of time, whereas bail conditions can be changed at any time, and would not involve the victim being consulted.

marywooyeah

TBagpuss wrote: »

It applies to cases where the victim is applying for an injunction - including an injunction to exclude their (ex) partner from previously shared home, or to protect someone in situation where the abuse falls short of the type of serious physical assault which would result in a prison sentence.

Injunctions are often needed to buy someone time to sort out more permanent solutions. They also give greater security as they are typically for a fixed period of time, whereas bail conditions can be changed at any time, and would not involve the victim being consulted.

An applicant for an injunction such as a Non Molestation Order and/or an Occupation Order does not need any prescribed form of dv evidence such as the Gp letter to obtain legal aid.

Person_one

phillw wrote: »

Choosing to get involved with someone who beats you

I'm sorry, choosing? Violent abusers don't let on that they are in their online dating profiles you know!