Domestic Abuse 2024-02-07
2024-02-07
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Savera UK, an organisation based in Liverpool Riverside constituency, and the Domestic Abuse Commissioner are concerned about the lack of a statutory definition for honour-based abuse, leading to under-reporting.
I have been informed by Savera UK, which is based in my constituency, and the Domestic Abuse Commissioner that this Government has failed to provide a statutory definition of so-called honour-based abuse. They are concerned that without such a definition, there will be under-reporting and a lack of detail on the scale of the problem.
The Government take the opposite view. They use the expression honour-based abuse, which has been controversial in itself, because often victims understand it the best. Victims of honour-based abuse are often the hardest to reach and sometimes are the least able to articulate their claims and to escape their circumstance. The Government keep the definition wide to capture successfully all the various insidious forms that it takes.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific concern about under-reporting due to lack of statutory definition was not addressed directly.
Opposite View
Controversial
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question follows a discussion on steps taken to tackle honour-based abuse, focusing on the lack of statutory definition.
I have been informed by Savera UK, which is based in my constituency, that this Government has failed to provide a statutory definition of so-called honour-based abuse. They are concerned about under-reporting and lack of detail on the scale of the problem.
I meet the Domestic Abuse Commissioner regularly, our last joint visit was to a refuge for minoritised women where honour-based abuse was an issue. The Home Office looks at specific harms connected with this and is proud of its forced marriage unit which has provided support services to more than 300 cases in the past year. A national honour-based abuse helpline, funded by the Government, has helped over 2,500 people in the last 12 months.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific concern about under-reporting due to lack of statutory definition was not addressed directly.
Regular Meetings
Pride In Forced Marriage Unit
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The question addresses a specific form of domestic abuse, conversion therapy.
One of the most insidious forms of domestic abuse is conversion therapy. It is cruel and it does not work. Could my hon. Friend give me some indication of when legislation will come forward to ban it?
The Government will publish a draft Bill on banning conversion therapy in due course.
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Assessment & feedback
A specific timeline was not provided for publishing the draft Bill.
In Due Course
Response accuracy