Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Victims of Domestic Abuse and Violence

Tuesday 3 June 2025 · 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 Green asked about a constituent who experienced multiple forms of abuse including cyber-stalking and sought legal protection through non-molestation and prohibited steps orders.
  • Marsha De Cordova referenced a warning by the Metropolitan Police Commissioner about potential increases in violence against women and girls due to lack of funding.
  • The Minister assured commitment to addressing violence against women and girls and mentioned the upcoming publication of the spending review outcomes.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sarah Green Lib Dem Chesham and Amersham
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

A constituent experienced financial, physical, emotional abuse and cyber-stalking by her ex-partner despite having non-molestation and prohibited steps orders. She faces difficulty in compiling evidence for a stalking protection order.

Question

My constituent was subject to financial, physical and emotional abuse by her ex-partner. She was also cyber-stalked; her social media accounts were hacked for details of her location and information about their children. Despite being granted a non-molestation order and a prohibited steps order, she was unable to compile sufficient evidence of the cyber-stalking to be granted a stalking protection order. Speaking to her, her fear is palpable. What steps is the Secretary of State taking to ensure that victims are supported in compiling the evidence they need for a stalking protection order?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood (Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice)

I am very sorry to hear of the experiences of the hon. Lady’s constituent; it is clearly a horrifying case, and my sympathies are with her. Given that stalking protection orders are relatively new, there is a case for continually examining whether their roll-out is working as intended. They are primarily a Home Office responsibility, but there are amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill, which is going through the House, that are designed to strengthen these orders. If the hon. Lady will write to me, I will ensure that she has a meeting with the relevant Minister to talk through the specifics of the case that she has raised, and the lessons that can be learned as we strengthen these orders for everyone.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific actions being taken by the government to support victims in compiling evidence for stalking protection orders were not directly addressed. The Secretary of State offered a meeting but did not specify concrete steps currently in place.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q2 Marsha De Cordova Lab Battersea
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement Women & Equalities
Context

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner warned in April that without additional funding, London will see a sustained increase in violence against women and girls. The government is working to fix a system left broken by the previous administration.

Question

In April, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner warned that without additional funding, London will see a sustained increase in violence against women and girls. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has been working tirelessly to fix the broken system left by the Conservatives. However, if we do not get this support in London, women will go unprotected. Will she commit to working with colleagues in the Home Office and the Treasury to ensure that the Met can keep women safe in my constituency and across London?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood (Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice)

Of course, we work closely with colleagues in the Home Office and the Treasury. The Government will shortly publish the outcome of the spending review, but I can assure my hon. Friend that all colleagues across Government are committed to our mission to halve violence against women and girls, for victims not just in London but across the country. I will ensure that we engage with Members across the House on this matter as well.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked for a commitment to secure funding for the Metropolitan Police specifically, while the Secretary of State provided general assurances about government commitments and engagement with other colleagues without specifying concrete actions or timelines for securing additional funds.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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