Battered wife's plea for support

A battered wife is asking a court to allow victims of domestic violence receive the same support as those with a disability.

The 23-year-old, who was referred to as SK, applied to Oxfordshire County Council for shelter and basic necessities when she left her husband, but was refused.

Her counsel, Hugh Southey, told the High Court as a victim of domestic abuse she deserved to get assistance under the 1948 National Assistance Act - an act which provides help for those with a disability.

The woman - a Pakistani national who speaks only a few words of English - was granted leave to enter the UK in July in 2001 join her husband, a British citizen.

'Psychological harm'

Mr Southey said the woman's marriage broke down because of her husband's violent behaviour.

In March this year, he had attempted to strangle her and attacked her with a knife.

After she left her husband, Oxfordshire County Council was asked to consider her application for assistance under the 1948 Act.

But she was refused on the basis that her need for protection did not entitle her to help from the public purse.

This was despite a doctor's evidence that she was in danger of suffering psychological harm, said Mr Southey.

Mr Southey argued officials were wrong to conclude that the threat of violence SK faced did not entitle her to support under the National Assistance Act.

Mr Southey said the law should be interpreted more broadly to include victims of domestic violence.

Mr Southey also accused the council of ignoring the doctor's letter stating that SK might suffer psychological problems as a battered wife who spoke little English and faced destitution.

The case continues.