Denis MacShane backs domestic violence campaign

ROTHERHAM MP Denis MacShane has backed a Government pilot scheme that aims to help women who suffer from domestic violence.

The proposed plan is to help female victims in the home who, because of their immigration status, cannot access safe housing and support.

Mr MacShane also praised the work of Apna Haq, a pioneering women's group in Rotherham who provide confidential, one-to-one support for Asian women and their children who are experiencing violence in the home.

It can sometimes take as long as two years to resolve the case of a woman who is experiencing domestic violence and who, due to her immigration status, is in the category of "no recourse" to public funds.

Mr MacShane added: "I am looking forward to hearing how this pilot scheme will work in practice."

The initiative intends to reduce the time taken to resolve cases down to nine weeks and provide a place of safety much quicker.

Apna Haq's project co-ordinator, Zlaka Ahmed, said: "I am delighted that our local MP is such a champion of the cause.

"At Apna Haq we are at times seeing three or four women a month who fall into this no recourse to public funds category. We very much welcome this initiative to speed up the decision making process."