Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Violence against Women and Girls

Wednesday 9 October 2024 · 6 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government is placing domestic abuse specialists in emergency control rooms and providing free legal advocates for victims of rape in England and Wales.
  • New guidance will ensure that statutory relationships, sex, and health education addresses misogyny from an early age.
  • Government will strengthen legal duties on employers to prevent and address sexual harassment.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rupa Huq Lab Ealing Central and Acton
Women & Equalities
Context

The MP is addressing the national emergency of violence against women and girls, emphasising the need for immediate action.

Question

What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help tackle violence against women and girls. The question highlights the need for domestic abuse specialists in emergency control rooms and free legal advocates for victims of rape.

Answer from Anneliese Dodds

My colleagues and I are working closely together to tackle the national emergency of violence against women and girls by placing domestic abuse specialists in emergency control rooms, giving adult victims of rape in England and Wales access to free legal advocates, recruiting 5,000 additional doctors and 10,000 nurses this year, and committing to training places for 15,000 more medical students by 2028.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Jo White Lab Bassetlaw
Education Women & Equalities
Context

The MP highlights the ongoing issue of misogyny being learned, tolerated, and reinforced in school settings and through social media influencers.

Question

How are the Government tackling this rising challenge in schools, embedding it into the curriculum across all ages. The question references the need for statutory relationships, sex, and health education to address misogyny from an early age.

Answer from Anneliese Dodds

Misogyny must be tackled, and statutory relationships, sex, and health education is essential. New guidance will ensure that teaching meets the needs of students and teachers. The curriculum review will carefully consider how RSHE fits in with the wider curriculum.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions to embed misogyny tackling into school curricula across all ages are not specified.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Caroline Voaden Lib Dem South Devon
Employment
Context

The MP raises concerns about recent high-profile allegations of abuse against women.

Question

Given the recent high-profile allegations of abuse, what steps are being taken to strengthen legal duties on employers regarding sexual harassment?

Answer from Anneliese Dodds

The Government will strengthen the legal duty around sexual harassment so that employers take all reasonable steps to stop it before it starts. Employers must also ensure workplaces are free from harassment, including by third parties.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Mike Martin Lib Dem Tunbridge Wells
Women & Equalities
Context

The MP asks about the Protection from Sex-Based Harassment in Public Bill, which was passed but requires a statutory instrument for implementation.

Question

When will the Minister write to me and update on when the Act will come into force?

Answer from Anneliese Dodds

The new Government is determined to halve violence against women and girls within a decade. The Home Secretary works with us on this, but no specific date for writing or updating has been committed.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment to write an update on when the Act will be implemented was not provided.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q5 Rupa Huq Lab Ealing Central and Acton
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The MP welcomes the Government's implementation of buffer zones around abortion clinics, previously voted for by MPs.

Question

When will protection zones be in force and whether it applies to silent intimidators?

Answer from Anneliese Dodds

Protection zones around abortion clinics will be in force from 31 October. The Government aims to ensure anyone exercising their legal right to access abortion services is free from harassment or intimidation by the police.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q6 Mims Davies Con East Grinstead and Uckfield
Women & Equalities
Context

The MP welcomes the Government's £100 million strategy to make streets safer for women, including a 24/7 helpline and safety funds.

Question

Why does Labour feel setting a target of merely halving violence against women and girls is suitable?

Answer from Anneliese Dodds

The Government saw reported rates rise repeatedly under the previous government, with charge rates falling. They are determined to act now to deliver their mission of halving violence against women and girls within a decade for the sake of women and girls.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific reasons why halving is seen as sufficient instead of total eradication were not provided.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email