Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Violence against Women and Girls

Monday 25 November 2024 · 5 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 is treating violence against women and girls as a national emergency and coordinating efforts across all departments.
  • Survivors of domestic abuse face inconsistent levels of understanding and support when interacting with various public services, highlighting the need for a cross-Government approach.
  • The Minister acknowledges the importance of risk assessment tools like DARA and Dash in addressing domestic homicide and the challenges faced by victims of coercive control.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Christopher Bloore Lab Redditch
Women & Equalities
Context

The MP inquires about support provided to local organisations addressing violence against women and girls.

Question

What support she is providing to local organisations to help tackle violence against women and girls.

Answer from Jess Phillips

The scale of violence against women and girls in our country is intolerable, and the Government will treat it as a national emergency. As part of this mission, we are bringing together Ministers from right across Government so that every Department does its bit, from prevention work in schools through to relentless pursuit of dangerous perpetrators. On top of that work, we have already begun strengthening the police response to domestic abuse.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify concrete support measures for local organisations beyond general statements about interdepartmental collaboration and increased police response.

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Q2 Laura Kyrke-Smith Lab Aylesbury
NHS Women & Equalities
Context

The MP highlights the importance of a trauma-informed approach in public services to assist victims of domestic abuse.

Question

Charities such as Aylesbury Women's Aid do brilliant and vital work to support survivors of domestic abuse. However, when these survivors interact with other public-facing services such as emergency or healthcare services, they are not always met with the same level of understanding. What measures is the Minister taking to ensure that survivors of domestic violence and abuse are met with a trauma-informed approach across all public services?

Answer from Jess Phillips

A massive thank you to Aylesbury Women's Aid for the amazing work that it is clearly doing. I am afraid that my hon. Friend and victims are exactly right in their assessment. That is why we must have a completely cross-Government approach to ensuring that no matter where a victim stands up, all services take responsibility for their role in the lives of those who are suffering.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Acknowledged the issue but did not specify concrete measures or initiatives.

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Q3 Monica Harding Lib Dem Esher and Walton
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The MP questions the effectiveness of the DARA tool in accurately assessing risks for victims of coercive control.

Question

As the hon. Member for Stourbridge (Cat Eccles) pointed out, coercive control is a criminal offence but it is often overlooked, despite research suggesting that it is the third highest risk factor in domestic homicide. In my surgeries in Esher and Walton, victims have told me that there is not a sufficient understanding of coercive control in police interviews, particularly when other crimes are being investigated. What assessments are being made of the effectiveness of the roll-out of the domestic abuse risk assessment—DARA—toolkit, which was introduced by the College of Policing in 2022?

Answer from Jess Phillips

A number of different risk assessment tools are used, whether DARA or Dash—the domestic abuse, stalking, harassment and honour-based violence risk assessment—which has a more historical grounding and is used more widely. I want the hon. Lady to know that it is impossible to read any domestic homicide review in our country for the past decade and not think that risk assessments, and how well they are used and operating, is something that we should look at.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific information on DARA toolkit effectiveness but acknowledged the importance of assessing risk assessment tools' performance.

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Q4 Christopher Bloore Lab Redditch
Women & Equalities
Context

The MP invites the Minister to visit and thank staff at Sandycroft centre, a crucial support provider for vulnerable individuals.

Question

Will the Minister join me in thanking the incredible staff at the Sandycroft centre in my constituency, who offer life-saving support for vulnerable people in times of crisis? Will she visit the centre with me to hear from CEO Lee McKenzie and the independent sexual violence advisers, who are on the frontline tackling increased violence against women and girls?

Answer from Jess Phillips

As it is very local to me, I take a particular interest in the Sandycroft centre. Such centres are invaluable to vulnerable women, and I would be delighted to visit him and Lee—it would be a 15-minute drive.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q5 Shockat Adam Ind Leicester South
Taxation Employment
Context

The MP raises concerns about local charities struggling with funding and potential impact of the Government's proposed increase in employer's national insurance.

Question

Does the Minister agree that local charities like Jasmine House, which operates in my constituency, play a vital role in supporting women who have been victims of a sexual crime? But in addition to the worry of constantly trying to find funding, they are concerned about the impact that the Government's proposed increase in employer's national insurance will have on their ability to continue providing that help. Does the Minister agree that they should be exempt from the changes to national insurance contributions?

Answer from Jess Phillips

I pay tribute to Jasmine House. As someone who applied for funding for a similar centre, I understand exactly the funding pressures that its staff will face. What the sector really needs is stability, the assurance of more than single-year funding, which the Government are looking at, and making sure that we mitigate to ensure that there is enough.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm or deny exemption but acknowledged funding pressures.

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