(1)The Commissioner must, before the end of the relevant period, prepare and publish a report under section 8 on—
(a)the need for domestic abuse services in England, and
(b)the provision of such services.
(2)But subsection (1) does not require the Commissioner to report on the need for, or provision of, services provided to people who reside in relevant accommodation (within the meaning of section 57(2)).
(3)In subsection (1)—
“domestic abuse services” means any advice, advocacy or counselling services provided, in relation to domestic abuse, to victims of domestic abuse or their children;
“the relevant period” means the period of 12 months beginning with the day on which this section comes into force (but see subsection (4)).
(4)The Secretary of State, with the agreement of the Commissioner, may by regulations extend the relevant period for a further period of up to 6 months.
(5)The power conferred by subsection (4) may be exercised only once.