Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Violence Against Women and Girls

Tuesday 14 December 2021 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 introduced legislation to tackle crimes including stalking, forced marriage, and female genital mutilation.
  • The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill will introduce measures such as longer prison sentences for serious violent and sexual offenders.
  • The government is considering the Law Commission's review of hate crime laws regarding misogyny and will respond as soon as possible.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Laura Trott Con Sevenoaks
Justice & Courts Women & Equalities
Context

The question arises in the context of addressing crimes such as stalking, forced marriage, and female genital mutilation.

Question

What steps he is taking to protect women and girls from violent and sexual offenders. The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 introduced legislation to tackle these issues.

Answer from Tom Pursglove

We have introduced legislation through the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 to tackle crimes including stalking, forced marriage, and female genital mutilation. The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill will introduce measures such as longer prison sentences for serious violent and sexual offenders; reforms to pre-charge bail to protect vulnerable victims and witnesses; and positive obligations through sexual harm prevention orders and sexual risk orders.

Answered
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Q2 Gill Furniss Lab Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough
Crime & Law Enforcement Women & Equalities
Context

Since Sarah Everard was murdered, at least 104 more women have been killed by men. The question seeks to address the urgent need to classify misogyny as a hate crime.

Question

Will the Minister commit today to classing misogyny as a hate crime, showing seriousness about violence against women and girls?

Answer from Tom Pursglove

We welcome measures taken on sentencing. On misogyny specifically, we are considering the Law Commission's review of hate crime laws and will respond as soon as possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to classify misogyny as a hate crime was not directly addressed

How: Giving Proper Consideration, Responding As Soon As We Can

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Q3 Laura Trott Con Sevenoaks
Justice & Courts
Context

Kent's Crown court case load is at 93% above pre-pandemic levels, and sexual violence crimes are likely to be dropped due to delays. The MP seeks assurance that funding will continue past March next year.

Question

Can the Minister assure me and constituents of Sevenoaks and Swanley that Nightingale court funding will continue beyond March 2022? We urgently need this court for sexual violence cases.

Answer from Tom Pursglove

More than £1 billion has been allocated to boost capacity and recover from the pandemic in courts. The temporary Nightingale courts supported recovery but decisions on future spending will be based on ongoing discussions during the spending review allocation period.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific assurance about continued funding was not provided

How: Subject To Ongoing Spending Review

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