17 April 2026

Yesterday, Hestia’s Chief Executive, Patrick Ryan, was invited to speak on BBC 5 Live in response to reports around migrants making fraudulent domestic abuse claims. You can listen back to Patrick’s interview here and read Patrick's full statement on the subject below:

“We support thousands of people experiencing domestic abuse from all backgrounds each year, including many migrants. We are incredibly proud to help people find safety, hope and purpose. Yes, there will always be a small minority who attempt to exploit any system. And yes, cuts to legal aid have created space for unscrupulous people to pose as advisors for desperate people. Those responsible must be held accountable. But at the same time, it is deeply irresponsible to address this issue without being crystal clear: the vast, vast majority of people reporting domestic abuse are genuine and must be believed. It takes immense courage to come forward.

Many people do not report their abuse due to fear of people’s reactions, stigma, and all too tangible repercussions. For those with insecure immigration status, these fears are even greater. They know that reporting abuse, and not being believed, could jeopardise their right to remain in the UK. I believe that the BBC’s report is looking violently in the wrong direction. Focusing on rare instances of misuse adds to the burden of suspicion on victims, increases fear, and ultimately puts lives at risk. Put simply, it will deter people from seeking help and leave many trapped in abuse. The real issue we should be focussing on is the scale of the domestic abuse epidemic we are facing as a country.

One in four people in the UK will experience it in their lifetime, that’s nearly 20 million people. We hope that in future we can work with BBC, as a public service broadcaster, to ensure victims are not afraid to come forward and know where to turn for support. We must create a culture where those experiencing domestic abuse are believed, can find safety, and can access the help they need when they need it most."

You can listen to the full interview below at time stamp 1hr 14m:

Listen on BBC Sounds

For anyone experiencing domestic abuse and unsure what to do or where to turn, you are not alone. Support is available. Please visit our Get Help page: 

Get help

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