Violence against Women and Girls

Jo White (Bassetlaw) (Lab) and Dr Rupa Huq (Ealing Central and Acton) (Lab) asked the Minister for Women and Equalities, Anneliese Dodds, what steps the Government is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help tackle violence against women and girls. Caroline Voaden (South Devon) (LD) and Mike Martin (Tunbridge Wells) (LD) also asked the Minister about her discussions with the Home Secretary on this issue. In response, the Minister stated that the Government is working closely together to tackle the "national emergency" of violence against women and girls, with the aim of halving such violence within a decade. She outlined some of the measures being taken, including placing domestic abuse specialists in emergency control rooms and providing free legal advocates for adult victims of rape in England and Wales. Jo White expressed concern about the need to educate young people, particularly in schools, to tackle misogynistic attitudes and behaviours, which she said are often learned and reinforced. The Minister agreed that this is essential and said the Government is carefully considering consultation responses and evidence to ensure new guidance on relationships, sex and health education meets the needs of students and teachers. Caroline Voaden asked about protecting women who come forward with allegations of abuse in the workplace, following recent high-profile cases. The Minister said the Government is determined to strengthen the legal duty on employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment and to create workplaces free from harassment, including by third parties. Mike Martin asked the Minister to provide an update on when the Protection from Sex-based Harassment in Public Act, which was passed last year, will come into force. The Minister said she would be happy to write to him with that information, reiterating the Government's determination to tackle violence against women and girls both on the streets and in workplaces and homes. Dr Huq welcomed the Government's plans to implement buffer zones around abortion clinics, which she said had been repeatedly voted for by MPs. The Minister confirmed that these protection zones will be in force from the end of October, ensuring that anyone exercising their legal right to access abortion services is free from harassment and intimidation. Finally, Mims Davies (East Grinstead and Uckfield) (Con) questioned whether the Government's ambition to halve violence against women and girls within a decade was sufficient, arguing that the total eradication of this "horrific criminality" should be the goal. The Minister defended the Government's approach, stating that the previous administration had seen reported rates of violence rise and charge rates fall, and that the current Government is determined to take urgent action to address this national emergency.