This makes for pretty sad reading. 🙁
Exceptions are available only when the applicant can supply hard evidence of domestic abuse
Hard evidence? looks like they have a loose definition of that.
... it's a pity that supplying hard evidence of abuse, doesn't seem to have filtered down... although I do suspect that some of the agencies involved, some women's refuges and solicitors, know how to play the system to full effect.
That said, it's a really difficult call, as domestic abuse is very real and how do you challenge someone that may have been subjected to it? There are no easy answers.
I agree, and it would be tragic if genuine cases were turned away. However, one possible solution might be to prosecute anyone who makes such a claim and it's found to be a lie - if there are consequences for lying, it might filter out the fraudulent cases. Along with this, it would need additional support for the genuine cases.