Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Violence against Women and Girls: Legislation

Tuesday 21 November 2023 · 9 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 6 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Reforms to the criminal justice system include new offences for stalking, non-fatal strangulation, and coercive control since 2010.
  • The Protection from Sex-based Harassment in Public Act 2023 creates an offence for intentional harassment based on sex.
  • The Online Safety Act 2023 requires social media providers to prevent child exposure to harmful content through age verification exercises.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Western Lab Stretford and Urmston
Justice & Courts Women & Equalities
Context

The question concerns government initiatives to address violence against women and girls.

Question

What reforms are being made to the criminal justice system to tackle violence against women and girls?

Answer from Laura Farris

Since 2010, this Government have transformed the legislative landscape on tackling violence against women. We created new criminal offences of stalking, non-fatal strangulation and coercive control, implemented comprehensive modern slavery and domestic abuse laws, outlawed insidious harms such as revenge porn and the “rough sex” defence to murder. Prosecutions for rape are up with sentences about 50% longer than in 2010. We continue this work through our Sentencing Bill, Criminal Justice Bill and Victims and Prisoners Bill.

Answered
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Q2 Owen Thompson SNP
Women & Equalities Standards & Ethics
Context

A local councillor in Midlothian experienced sexual harassment at a public event, with no action taken despite the complaint.

Question

What more can be done to ensure that when women complain of such harassment action is taken to protect them from unfortunate situations?

Answer from Laura Farris

The Protection from Sex-based Harassment in Public Act 2023, which received Royal Assent recently, creates an offence of intentional harassment carried out because of a person's sex. It could cover the case mentioned and further discussion is invited.

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Q3 Joanna Cherry SNP
Women & Equalities
Context

Sex Matters presented a letter with over 15,000 signatures asking the Prime Minister to condemn violence against women and girls.

Question

Will the Minister condemn such violence and intimidation? Will she urge the PM to commit to addressing it by commissioning a rapid review?

Answer from Laura Farris

The conduct described is condemned. The Protection from Sex-based Harassment in Public Act 2023 covers such harassment and a meeting to discuss further actions would be welcome.

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Q4 Kirsten Oswald SNP
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The Open University found that seven in ten believe the current legislation is not effective in tackling online violence against women.

Question

What steps are being taken to ensure the new guidance under the Online Safety Act 2023 is enforced effectively?

Answer from Laura Farris

The Online Safety Act places a statutory obligation on Ofcom to publish guidance summarising measures online services need to take to reduce risk of violence against women. It also obligates social media providers to prevent child exposure to harmful content through age verification exercises.

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Q5 Marion Fellows SNP
Housing Women & Equalities
Context

Almost a quarter of homelessness among women and children is due to violence or abusive relationship.

Question

Has the Minister considered piloting £1,000 grants for women who leave violent relationships?

Answer from Laura Farris

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 includes a legal duty on tier 1 local authorities to provide wide-ranging support, including refuges. £377 million has been allocated by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

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Q6 Andrew Western Lab Stretford and Urmston
Justice & Courts Mental Health
Context

The question addresses the issue of mental health support access for rape victims whose therapy notes can be requested as part of criminal investigations.

Question

It is vital that victims of serious sexual assault are supported through what can often be a lengthy and traumatic process, yet many do not access early mental health support because their therapy notes can be requested. Does the Minister agree that a specialist legal advocate for victims could allow them to challenge invasive requests for private information?

Answer from Laura Farris

The Law Commission is looking into this issue, which already appears in the Victims and Prisoners Bill. There are now 950 dedicated independent sexual violence advisers supporting victims of rape and serious sexual abuse every step of the way.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment to a legal advocate for victims was not addressed, instead focusing on existing support structures.

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Q7 Bob Neill Con
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

The question focuses on improving investigation, conviction, and prosecution rates for victims of rape and serious sexual offences.

Question

Will she also bear in mind that there are further opportunities to improve the victim experience and ensure consistency across the whole country?

Answer from Laura Farris

The Victims and Prisoners Bill plays an important role in putting the victims code on a statutory footing, giving victims enhanced rights. We are training 2,000 specialist police officers in rape and serious sexual offences and rolling out section 28 evidence procedures.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific opportunities for further improvements were not detailed.

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Q8 Greg Clark Con
Justice & Courts
Context

The question addresses the inadequacy of current legislation in dealing with non-penetrative sexual assault on dead bodies.

Question

Will the Minister meet me, my hon. Friend and other colleagues to discuss how we can rectify that in the Criminal Justice Bill?

Answer from Laura Farris

The Ministry of Justice is reviewing both the maximum penalty and the scope of section 70 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. The Minister will meet with Greg Clark, Tracey Crouch and other colleagues in due course.

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Q9 Chris Stephens SNP
Justice & Courts
Context

The question discusses the UK Government's delay in introducing a victims Bill compared to Scotland, which has introduced legislation for trauma-informed support.

Question

Have the Minister and the Government considered adopting that approach?

Answer from Laura Farris

Our Victims and Prisoners Bill is making its way through Parliament. We have models like Operation Soteria, which focuses on rape victims and has been rolled out nationally.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Adoption of the Scottish approach was not directly addressed.

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