Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Violence Against Women and Girls

Tuesday 22 March 2022 · 7 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 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government has an ambitious strategy to tackle violence against women and girls, including pre-recorded cross-examination in Crown courts and a national 24/7 helpline for rape and sexual offences.
  • The Minister did not commit to an immediate review into setting up specialist rape courts but referenced ongoing work with police and the Crown Prosecution Service.
  • The Minister welcomed local initiatives like the Safer Transport Northumbria app and mentioned national efforts to outlaw cyber-flashing through the Online Safety Bill, but no specific commitment to additional funding was made.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kate Osborne Lab Jarrow and Gateshead East
Women & Equalities
Context

The question follows the government's publication of their tackling violence against women and girls strategy.

Question

What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to tackle violence against women and girls. Specifically, what measures are being taken to address sexual offences and domestic abuse?

Answer from Victoria Atkins

The Government set out their ambitious tackling violence against women and girls strategy which includes plans to roll out pre-recorded cross-examination in Crown courts, give victims of domestic abuse more time to report common assault incidents, and launch a national 24/7 helpline for rape and sexual assault victims.

Answered
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Q2 Ruth Jones Lab Newport West and Islwyn
Women & Equalities
Context

The question arises from a Labour proposal to implement serious measures for ending violence against women and girls.

Question

Will the Minister now commit to working with the Labour party to implement their important proposals detailed in their Green Paper? It is crucial given its life-and-death implications.

Answer from Victoria Atkins

The Minister notes the importance of tackling violence against women and girls, references working with colleagues across the House during the passage of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, and highlights funding for victims in Wales. She acknowledges the need to change behaviors and attitudes contributing to such crimes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to working specifically with Labour on their Green Paper proposals is not explicitly given

How: I Note That Throughout The Passage Of The Domestic Abuse Act 2021, I Was Delighted To Work With Colleagues Across The House.

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Q3 Christian Wakeford Lab Bury South
Justice & Courts
Context

The backlog of court cases means victims of rape are facing significant delays in getting justice.

Question

Will the Minister carry out an immediate review into setting up specialist rape courts, as recommended by joint inspectorates? This is urgent to ensure that justice can be done and public safety maintained.

Answer from Victoria Atkins

The Minister references the rape review conducted for the investigation and prosecution of offences, noting tentative increases in convictions but emphasizing ongoing work with police and CPS to make progress. She did not provide a commitment to an immediate review or setting up specialist rape courts.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Immediate review or setting up specialist rape courts is not committed to

How: I Do Hope The Hon. Gentleman In His, I Imagine, Copious Free Time Now That He Has Crossed The Floor, Is Able To Read The Rape Review

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Q4 Kate Osborne Lab Jarrow and Gateshead East
Transport Women & Equalities
Context

The Safer Transport Northumbria app aims to address safety concerns on public transport.

Question

Does the Minister agree that the Safer Transport Northumbria app is a brilliant initiative and will she commit to providing more funding for our region to tackle violence against women and girls?

Answer from Victoria Atkins

The Minister welcomes local initiatives like the Safer Transport Northumbria app, mentions national efforts including outlawing cyber-flashing on public transport and elsewhere through provisions introduced in the Online Safety Bill. No specific commitment to additional funding is made.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to providing more funding for the north-east is not given

How: I Welcome Local Initiatives Such As The One That The Hon. Member Describes.

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Q5 Maria Miller Con
Parliamentary Procedure
Context

The Law Commission will publish recommended changes to criminal law addressing intimate image sharing without consent.

Question

Will the Minister include those changes in the Online Safety Bill through Government amendments before it reaches the Lords, or will she look for others to do that on her behalf?

Answer from Victoria Atkins

The Minister acknowledges the complexity of the law and refers to efforts made by the government, including outlawing cyber-flashing. She notes that they await results from the Law Commission's advice and will look carefully at implementing any such changes recommended in summer.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to immediate implementation through Government amendments is not given

How: We Have Asked The Law Commission To Advise Us On That Very Complicated Area Of Law.

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Q6 Ellie Reeves Lab Lewisham West and East Dulwich
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

Ministry of Justice figures show lenient sentencing trends for rapists.

Question

Does the Minister agree that a 17% rate of less than five-year sentences for rapists is incredibly lenient? Will she back Labour's call for minimum seven-year sentences, or will the Government continue to be tough on victims and soft on crime?

Answer from Victoria Atkins

The Minister acknowledges the shared determination to crack down on perpetrators but notes regret over Labour's decision not to support Government measures in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill which requires serious offenders to spend more time in prison when receiving sentences of between four and seven years.

Not addressed: Discussion shifted towards criticizing opposition instead of addressing sentencing reform directly

How: I Know That The Hon. Lady And I Share A Determination To Crack Down On The Perpetrators Of Vile Crimes.

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Q7 Ellie Reeves Lab Lewisham West and East Dulwich
Justice & Courts Women & Equalities
Context

The government has not acted on Labour's call for a review into sentences for spiking offences and the introduction of minimum sentences for stalking.

Question

That is precisely what Labour's proposals would have achieved. The Government are not just letting victims down on sentences for rape; the Government have failed to act despite Labour's call for a review into sentences for spiking offences and the introduction of minimum sentences for stalking. The Minister has an opportunity to show that the Government are serious about tackling violence against women and girls by backing Labour's proposals. Will she do that today?

Answer from Victoria Atkins

Forgive me, but the hon. Lady seems to have misunderstood how legislation happens in this place. Labour Members had the chance to vote for rapists to spend longer in prison through the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill; they did not just abstain, but voted against that. I entreat the Labour party to consider acting and putting real pressure behind their warm words and to stand with the Government to ensure that rapists spend longer in prison. That is what the Government are doing, and we will achieve that through the good work of Conservative colleagues.

Not addressed: The specific proposals for sentences on spiking offences and stalking were not addressed.

How: Criticising Labour'S Voting Record, Challenging The Questioner'S Understanding

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