My children and I are victims of domestic abuse - I am a mother of four, working full time as an Executive Assistant, the Legal Aid Agency considered me eligible for legal aid to keep my children safe from our abuser on the grounds that we are victims of domestic abuse but we failed to be eligible as my salary was deemed too high - I am an Executive Assistant  for a Government funded institute, my salary is not allowed to be high. My children’s safety and emotional well-being was means tested and denied. We have been left as sitting ducks, mere statistics that may or may not become Survivors of Domestic Abuse instead of remaining victims. 

I am not alone, this is the case for many victims. The personal fight to free yourself from domestic abuse is ridiculously difficult but, coupled with the lack of real practical help and support, means survivors have become so because of inner strength and resilience - so many people do not reach the point of finding their inner strength and tragically don’t make it to the light at the end of the tunnel. This can’t go on any longer.  

Rapists and murderers are given legal aid to defend themselves, I know of a wealthy man that had his children taken away by the local authority and was offered access to legal aid to fight the LA. Yet for me to protect myself and my children I have to become bankrupt to do so. How is this justice? How is this protecting Human Rights? How is this protecting children? 

Furthermore, I want my taxes to go towards helping victims, not perpetrators. 

Victims of Domestic Abuse should automatically be eligible to Legal Aid. The system needs to change urgently.