Two women who conceived their first children in violent relationships lost a legal challenge against the two-child benefit cap in universal credit claims. The high court judge, Justice Collins Rice, acknowledged the disturbing nature of their abuse but stated it was a political matter, not a judicial one. The current rules allow exceptions for children conceived through rape, but only for third or later children, leaving some women without recourse. The Child Poverty Action Group supported the women in their claim against the Department for Work and Pensions, criticizing the benefit rules as inhumane.
Justice Collins Rice emphasized that the accounts of the domestic abuse faced by the women were chilling and highlighted their vulnerability as young mothers caught in controlling relationships.
The two-child cap in universal credit claims, which allows exceptions for children conceived non-consensually, does not aid mothers whose first two children were conceived through rape.
The judge acknowledged the profound impact of abusive relationships on the women, characterizing their struggles as indicative of a larger systemic issue affecting the most vulnerable members of society.
Collection
[
|
...
]