Violence against Women and Girls Strategy 2025-12-18

The Opposition supports the strategy but highlights the need for difficult conversations about sex and consent. The Government's work includes setting up a grooming gangs taskforce, introducing measures to pre-record evidence in rape cases, rolling out more independent sexual violence advisers, ensuring national coverage of specialist police teams, applying new forensic technology to cold cases, and rolling out domestic abuse protection orders.

Welcomed the debate on violence against women and girls, acknowledged Baroness May's work, affirmed the importance of individual autonomy for women. Criticised the current data collection practices as inadequate but noted an increase in deportation of foreign nationals since her government's period in office. Emphasised that most crimes are committed by people born in Britain from various backgrounds.

Welcomed the new VAWG strategy, praised the Ministers for their commitment to end violence against women and girls. Raised concerns about training teachers without addressing online content moderation. Advocated for co-designing training with children and using regulation or collectivism to protect them from harmful online content.

Welcomed the Government’s violence against women and girls strategy but stressed the need for more immediate action on moderating online content. Criticised the delay in enforcing new regulations proposed by Ofcom, calling for mandatory guidelines with real consequences from 2027 onwards. Requested ringfenced funding for specialist services, comprehensive interdepartmental collaboration, recognition of minority women's unique experiences.

Expressed gratitude towards Ministers for their work on the VAWG strategy. Inquired about the implementation of the Protection from Sex-based Harassment in Public Act 2023, aiming to recognise misogyny as a cause of crimes against women and girls in April next year. Requested details on how guidance will be fed into police practices.

Welcomes the contributions made by fellow MPs and emphasises that the strategy is about challenging institutional norms and ensuring cultural shift in addressing violence against women and girls. Reiterates that funding alone isn't enough; there needs to be a systemic change in how society addresses such issues.

Highlights the commitments made by the Department of Health and Social Care regarding the roll-out of Child House model and introduction of Steps to Safety service, aiming at better identifying victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence through primary health care settings.

Welcomes the strategy but expresses caution regarding terms like 'toxic masculinity' that might label young men and boys, potentially leading to self-fulfilling prophecies. Emphasises the importance of inviting young men and boys into the conversation while being mindful of how such labels could affect them.

Raises concerns about delays in the criminal justice system, particularly between stages involving different Departments. Asks for a mechanism or individual to ensure joined-up government action against violence against women and girls.

Pays tribute to the Minister's work but questions why, despite previously advocating during the passage of the Online Safety Act for a code of practice to protect women and girls online, there is no delivery on it now that they are in government.

Welcomes the focus on educating children about misogyny in schools. Questions the engagement with Ofsted to ensure that all objectives under the new inspection framework align with Government’s targets, especially regarding the eradication of misogynistic harassment in schools.

Welcomes the publication and acknowledges the Minister's long-standing commitment. Enquires about how third sector organisations like Soroptimists can engage with the strategy to build on its outcomes locally.

Welcomes the statement and enquires specifically about support for third sector organisations such as Phoenix Domestic Abuse Services in Blaenau Gwent.

She commended the Minister's work on the strategy, noting her personal experience of being stalked. She highlighted the difficulties in enforcing restraining orders when they are breached and called for better cooperation between police, Crown Prosecution Service and support services to protect women and girls.

He welcomed the strategy and suggested changes to the national curriculum to encourage children to come forward about domestic violence. The Minister agreed that early intervention is crucial, mentioning a Family First pilot for half a billion pounds aimed at addressing these issues.

She expressed concern over the culture of consent and violence against women and girls. She questioned whether prevention measures start early enough for boys and if every boy would have access to preventive work, which was confirmed by the Minister.

She highlighted that many teachers feel uncomfortable delivering lessons on relationships. She suggested having a professional in each school instead of relying solely on teacher training. The Minister agreed and emphasised the importance of age-appropriate interventions.

She thanked the Ministers for their efforts to tackle violence against women and girls, describing it as a watershed moment. She raised concerns about holding high-profile misogynists accountable and ensuring that victims feel confident in reporting abuse.

He welcomed the strategy but questioned whether the crimes of rape gangs were racially and religiously aggravated. He suggested scrapping laws such as the Human Rights Act to deport foreign sex criminals, which was opposed by the Minister.

She paid tribute to the Ministers for their efforts but highlighted tragic cases where justice was not served. She asked how the strategy would prevent future deaths and ensure recognition of manslaughter in domestic-related suicides, which was addressed by the Minister.

She welcomed the cross-governmental approach to prevention and public health promotion under the new strategy. She expressed support for the minister's work on reducing violence against women and girls.

Stated that accessing pornography on social media sites is illegal and should be reported. Described measures taken against non-compliant websites, such as fines and blocking of content. Emphasised the need to tackle misogyny outside of online platforms.

Acknowledged the importance of cultural sensitivity in supporting women and girls from different communities. Called for a statutory definition of honour-based abuse, recognition as an aggravating factor in criminal sentencing, and multi-agency guidance.

Asked about provisions to support male survivors of violence against women and girls. Suggested a dedicated strategy for male survivors to receive justice and support, including specific support services and policies.

Expressed appreciation for the Minister's work on the strategy and inquired about the domestic abuse protection orders. Asked how the Government will help organisations like Survivors Against Domestic Abuse to provide support to victims.

Congratulated the Minister for her work on securing the domestic abuse identifier in clause 6 of the Sentencing Bill. Asked about plans to use data from this identifier to monitor the impact and progress of the VAWG strategy.

Welcomed the focus on prevention, particularly reducing online harm for young people. Inquired about how the £1 billion investment will help victims in her constituency get support and a safe place to live.

Asked how the strategy will pay attention to preventing harms to care leavers and care-experienced people, and build on improving practice seen in local authorities like Devon.

Inquired about plans to engage with young people, particularly boys and men, to tackle the growing pattern of violence among younger individuals.

Welcomed the strategy and inquired about steps across Government Departments to end demand for commercial sexual exploitation within pornography and prostitution.

Welcomes the Minister's strategy and commends her work. Highlights challenges faced by third-sector organisations such as Leeds Women’s Aid, noting that funding periods are too short and frequent reviews make long-term strategic decision making difficult.

Supports the strategy and emphasises the sector's complaint about yearly funding applications. Commits to longer-term funding for organisations under Government standards and commissioning models, aiming to address issues of localised commissioning.