Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Online Safety Tools

Monday 17 January 2022 · 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

  • Sarah Olney asked the Minister about discussions with the Equalities Office and women's rights campaigners regarding the effectiveness of the Path Community app and other online safety tools.
  • The Minister stated that she regularly discusses ways to tackle violence against women and girls with the Equalities Office and campaigners, emphasizing preventive measures.
  • The Minister clarified that the Government is not specifically promoting the Path Community app, and noted that many apps are available for women to use at their own discretion.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sarah Olney Lib Dem Richmond Park
Women & Equalities
Context

Sarah Olney is questioning the government's discussions with the Equalities Office and women's rights campaigners about the Path Community app and other online safety tools.

Question

What discussions has she had with (a) the Equalities Office and (b) women's rights campaigners on the effectiveness of (i) the Path Community app and (ii) other online safety tools?

Answer from Rachel Maclean

I speak regularly with the Equalities Office and campaigners on ways to tackle violence against women and girls. We believe that women should not have to change their behaviour to stay safe, which is why our strategy sets out preventive measures to tackle violence against women and girls focusing on changing misogynistic attitudes; however some people might choose to use one of the many apps, including the Path Community app, that are available to them.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific discussions with the Equalities Office and campaigners about the efficacy of the Path Community app were not detailed.

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Q2 Sarah Olney Lib Dem Richmond Park
Women & Equalities
Context

Campaigners like Reclaim These Streets have criticized the Path Community app, claiming it is insulting and ineffective. Sarah Olney is questioning why the government continues to promote such an app.

Question

Many women's rights campaigners, including Reclaim These Streets, have called apps such as the Path Community app insulting to women and girls. They claim it does nothing to tackle men's violence against women, so why are the Government continuing to push the app and present it as some kind of solution?

Answer from Rachel Maclean

I thank the hon. Lady for giving me the opportunity to put on the record that we are not specifically pushing—I think that was the word she used—or promoting or backing that one app. As I said in my answer, there are many apps, and many women use those apps of their own choice. Of course we welcome that choice for individuals; on the other hand, it is vital that the Government play our part in tackling violence against women and girls through the multiple other measures set out in the “Tackling violence against women and girls strategy”, which I invite her to read.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific promotion or endorsement of the Path Community app was not acknowledged, instead emphasizing that many apps exist and individuals choose freely among them.

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