Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Online Abuse

Wednesday 23 September 2020 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial discussions have focused on tackling online abuse targeting women.
  • One in two women report experiencing online abuse since the start of covid-19.
  • The Government intend to publish the online harms White Paper before the end of the year.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Nick Smith Lab Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney
Culture, Media & Sport Women & Equalities
Context

The question is prompted by a concerning rise in online abuse, particularly targeting women. Recent statistics show that nearly one in two women have experienced such abuse since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Question

What recent discussions has she had with the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on tackling online abuse targeted at women?

Answer from Caroline Dinenage

There has been a worrying rise in the amount of abuse, harassment and intimidation online, and women are often disproportionately targeted by such abuse. It is completely unacceptable and impacts individuals' rights to participate online. We set out robust measures to deal with this in the online harms White Paper and will be publishing a full Government response to this later in the year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific discussions had on tackling online abuse are not addressed, only general statements about the issue were made.

How: General Statements

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Q2 Nick Smith Lab Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney
Women & Equalities
Context

There is concern over the delay in bringing forward the Online Harms Bill, which was delayed until the end of 2021.

Question

Almost one in two women report experiencing online abuse since the start of covid-19. However, the Government have delayed the draft of the online harms Bill until, I understand, the end of 2021. Legislation is clearly needed now, so when will the Government bring the Bill forward?

Answer from Caroline Dinenage

I am afraid that the hon. Gentleman is misinformed. We are absolutely committed to making the UK the safest place to go online. The online harms White Paper will set out how we are going to make world-leading legislation. We intend to publish that before the end of the year and the legislation to follow at the very beginning of next year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific timing for bringing forward the Bill is not clarified, only a commitment to publishing the White Paper by the end of the year and legislation in early 2022 was provided.

How: Misinformation Correction, General Statements

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