Violence against Women Armed Forces 2022-03-28
2022-03-28
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about violence against women within the armed forces community, particularly regarding a constituent's experience of domestic abuse and subsequent homelessness.
What steps he is taking to help tackle violence against women in the armed forces?
Of course, we have a zero-tolerance approach to violence against women across Defence, and our actions across education, training and the service justice system reflect that. Women can and do have brilliant careers right across Defence, and the role models of senior women leaders across all three services reflect that.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps and concrete actions to tackle violence against women were not provided.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP's constituent experienced domestic abuse and was forced to leave her home, leaving her children with their abusive partner. She is seeking support from the Department.
My constituent had been living in the armed forces base in my constituency with her partner and her children, for whom she was the primary carer. During that time, she experienced continued domestic abuse and when she took the brave step of leaving her partner, she was told by the base that she would be required to leave. As a result, she was made homeless and, concerningly, she has had to leave her two very small children with her partner at the base. Although commitments to end violence in the first place are of course crucial, there will always be circumstances where it takes place. So what support can the Department put in place for those who suffer domestic abuse, and their dependants, while living within the armed forces community?
I am very moved to hear about the experiences of the hon. Lady's constituent, and if she would like to approach me with more details, I would certainly be happy to look at that case again. I reassure her that we have had a countering domestic abuse strategy across Defence since 2018, and I look forward to updating the House in due course about our strategy for tackling rape and serious sexual offences across Defence.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific support available was not detailed; only general reassurance provided.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about breaches of self-discipline by military personnel, regardless of gender.
Does the Minister agree that we train all our military personnel to be able to be extremely violent when the situation requires but we also train them to have the self-discipline to control that aggression and that any breach of that discipline, whether perpetrated against male or female victims, needs to be dealt with expeditiously and seriously through military law?
I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend, and this is all the more the case given that women occupy every role right across Defence, quite rightly.
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Assessment & feedback
The agreement was acknowledged but specifics on adherence to discipline were not provided.
Response accuracy