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Question
Asked about the need for urgency and implementation of recommendations regarding recent murders. Emphasised the importance of a woman Home Secretary taking special duty despite resistance, promising full support from all sides.
Minister reply
Acknowledged Harman's record in the area and expressed condolences to victims' families. Stated that driving down murder rates is a priority but operational independence must be respected. Appointed Deputy Chief Constable Maggie Blyth for recommendations implementation.
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Question
Welcomed the Minister and highlighted the need to change attitudes regarding women, including addressing inconsistency in force treatment of crimes against women. Asked if attention will be paid to College of Policing's role in developing best practices.
Minister reply
Praised Theresa May for her work and agreed on the importance of consistent support for victims. Emphasised that the new strategy focuses on adopting best practices across forces.
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Question
The report from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services highlights the Government’s failure to protect women adequately. Since Sarah Everard's death, an additional 78 women have been killed by men; Sabina Nessa was among them recently. The Labour party demands a comprehensive Violence Against Women and Girls Bill and calls for proper supervision and management of repeat offenders as per Zoë Billingham’s report recommendations. The Minister is urged to commit to these actions within the timeline provided and categorise violence against women and girls as a serious crime, akin to terrorism or youth violence.
Minister reply
The Minister robustly rejects the accusation that the Government has done nothing and highlights several measures already taken by this Government. She appoints Zoë Billingham to work closely with them on recommendations from her report. The issue is a central priority for the Home Office as a whole.
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Question
What steps will she take to challenge the Department for Education to make sure that we have conversations about consent and tackling entitlement at the earliest possible time?
Minister reply
The Minister agrees on early intervention, working with families and young people. As part of the violence against women and girls action plan, they are commissioning a significant public communications campaign to tackle these issues in schools.
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Question
The Select Committee on Home Affairs heard damning evidence last week from rape survivors about how they have been let down by the criminal justice system. The report is also damning about the scale of the problem and the scale of the change that is needed. Urgency is hugely important, and she urges her to say that she will support all the recommendations and implement them.
Minister reply
The Minister refers to previous comments made about working closely with independent authorities on these issues and has already implemented several recommendations in the report.
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Question
Does she agree that one of the best things we could do would be to reverse the decision to close hundreds of police stations? Open police stations offer deterrence, reassurance and a place for women and girls to run to in times of need.
Minister reply
The Minister agrees with the importance of active and visible policing. The Government is committed to recruiting 20,000 new police officers to ensure there are more officers on the streets.
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Question
Sabina Nessa’s murder highlights yet again the growing problem of violence against women and girls. Will the Government accept that recommendation, agree that the time has come to prioritise tackling violence against women and girls and give it the resources it demands?
Minister reply
The Minister states that cases like Sabina's have led them to prioritise violence against women and girls in a vital way; they have appointed a national policing lead so that they can put the issue at the heart of Government policy.
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Question
Data sharing and collaboration between organisations in victims’ cases are obviously sensitive but crucial issues highlighted in the report. What steps are being taken to improve data transparency?
Minister reply
The Minister is looking into these matters, which are clearly a vital part of their response.
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Question
What is this Government doing to make sure that women can debate or discuss their rights under the Equality Act without fear of abuse, threats, intimidation and violence?
Minister reply
The Minister is acutely aware of these issues. She states it is a disgrace that women cannot express their opinions freely; she would like to see the Labour party taking more active steps to protect its own members.
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Question
Two years ago, when my constituent lived in a flat in London, she had to barricade herself in, while for two hours, on eight occasions, her neighbour with mental health issues tried to get in. When police refused to look at CCTV evidence despite her plea, only after seven days did the man's nakedness and holding an implement prove serious enough for police action. Will the Minister meet me and my constituent? Should I write to the Met commissioner directly?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend raises a crucial constituency case. It is shocking that such experiences are still happening. The minister agrees with the need for police forces across the UK to respond appropriately as outlined in their strategy.
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Question
Sabina Nessa, a young teacher from Catford, was brutally murdered through misogynistic violence. How many women's lives must be stolen before serious action is taken?
Minister reply
Every loss of life is one too many. The Government are passing legislation and taking actions to tackle these horrific crimes and are committed to reducing them.
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Question
In Greater Manchester, 70% of domestic abuse cases were closed prematurely in the year to June 2020. The national picture is worse: three out of four cases end without charge. Will my hon. Friend meet me and the chief constable to address these long-standing failures?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for raising this issue. Ensuring cases are not closed prematurely and that women get justice is a priority, as is ensuring perpetrators receive appropriate punishment. The minister agrees to meet.
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Question
Violence against women and girls needs resources like those for terrorism or county lines. It cannot be left to local forces; what conversations is the Minister having with police and crime commissioners to ensure they deliver on this agenda?
Minister reply
The role of PCCs will be vital in tackling VAWG, though I have had no specific conversations yet due to my recent appointment.
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Question
Can the Minister set a clear policy for zero tolerance towards violence against women and girls, ensuring victims are taken to safety?
Minister reply
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 strengthens protections for domestic abuse victims, but operational policing decisions remain with local commanders.
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Question
Does the Minister agree that devolving powers over policing in Wales as recommended by Lord Thomas would be necessary for a radical approach to tackling gender-based violence?
Minister reply
While we work closely with devolved Administrations, we need to maintain a UK-wide approach.
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Emma Hardy
Lab
Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice
Question
Is it fair that one rape victim is considered less worthy of compensation than another due to past convictions related to addiction?
Minister reply
The Government are examining treatment of rape victims, and the minister agrees to meet regarding a specific case raised by the hon. Lady.
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Question
Will the Government finally tackle root causes of VAWG and legislate to make misogyny a hate crime?
Minister reply
A whole-system approach is necessary, and while we have taken steps like passing the Domestic Abuse Act and creating the VAWG strategy, more work remains.
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Question
Will the Government ensure screening for brain injuries in women complaining of domestic violence? Will they support a Bill on acquired brain injury?
Minister reply
The minister agrees to meet regarding this issue and acknowledges its cross-Government nature.
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Question
Will the Minister look specifically at low-level sexual offending against women, which often goes unreported or not taken seriously?
Minister reply
The Home Office is determined to address this issue in more detail and will focus on communications strategies to encourage reporting.
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Question
As the Minister will know, the Department for Transport’s consultation on personal safety on the streets of England closed on 15 September. Could she take it upon herself to talk to her colleagues in that Department, and ensure that there is speedy action on those responses?
Minister reply
It is a pleasure to see the hon. Lady in a different capacity. The Minister's successor in the role will be delighted to meet the hon. Lady. This is an important issue for the Department for Transport, and I am sure that the Department will respond in its usual speedy way.
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Question
The Minister is obviously right to say that every woman murdered is an appalling tragedy. In my constituency, 23-year-old Gracie Spinks was murdered by a man who had been stalking her for months. What can the Minister point to that the Government are physically doing to ensure that consistency across police forces prevents families like that of Gracie Spinks from having to undergo similar grief?
Minister reply
I am obviously sorry to hear about the case mentioned, which is clearly devastating. The laws passed by the Government include stalking protection orders and the appointment of a national policing lead, Maggie Blyth, to drive consistency.
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Question
In the wake of so many women across the UK losing their lives at the hands of male perpetrators, I welcome the publication of the report. However, when exactly will this strategy, which is crucial to tackling violence against women and girls, be published?
Minister reply
The Minister would like to be able to write to the hon. Lady about this specific strategy as these are her first couple of days in this role. She highlights the importance of dealing with perpetrators and bringing them to justice.
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Question
There has to be a culture change in society as well as in the police and the criminal justice system, because the common thread running through many of these crimes is a power differential between women and men. What more is the Minister doing to tackle head-on the culture that is prevalent in too many men out there?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman is right to highlight this culture. This type of violence against women and girls has no place in our society. Publishing the strategy is simply the first step, and actions include a significant public communication campaign as well as working with colleagues in education.
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Question
Bearing in mind the shocking increase in domestic abuse throughout lockdown, has any consideration been given to allocating additional funding to women’s aid charities?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman will be aware of the landmark Domestic Abuse Act 2021 that we have passed, and we are strongly advocating for adequate funding going into vital services.