Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Violence against Women: Criminal Justice System

Tuesday 8 July 2025 · 4 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial strategy on violence against women and girls includes addressing economic abuse.
  • Government considering an effective defence for domestic abuse victims who use force.
  • Restrictions on victim impact statements are under review to better represent victims.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Danny Chambers Lib Dem Winchester
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts Safeguarding & DBS
Context

A constituent wrote to Dr Chambers expressing frustration over missed deadlines in a Crown Prosecution Service investigation, leading to financial control by her abuser and inability to secure child maintenance.

Question

After years of high-risk domestic abuse, a woman from Winchester went through a CID investigation to prove she needed financial separation but the police missed the Crown Prosecution Service investigation deadline. No charges were brought, leaving her unable to secure child maintenance while her abuser remains in control. What discussions is the Minister having with colleagues in the Department for Work and Pensions and HMRC to ensure that perpetrators of domestic abuse can no longer use financial systems to maintain power over their victims?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Alex Davies-Jones)

We have a cross-Government strategy on tackling violence against women and girls, including economic abuse. Along with the Safeguarding Minister, I regularly meet Treasury and DWP colleagues to address this issue, and we will publish our strategy in the coming months.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details on discussions or concrete actions regarding financial control by abusers

How: We Are Considering

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Q2 Tonia Antoniazzi Lab Gower
Women & Equalities
Context

At least 57% of women in prison and on probation are victim-survivors of domestic abuse, with many cases linking alleged offending to experiences of the abuse.

Question

What consideration has the Minister given to the introduction of an effective defence for domestic abuse victims who use force against their abusers or are coerced into offending?

Answer from Alex Davies-Jones

We are actively considering this matter, including work by the Women’s Justice Board and reviews by David Gauke and Baroness Casey. I will happily work with my hon. Friend to develop further policies on this issue.

Answered
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Q3 Kieran Mullan Con Bexhill and Battle
Justice & Courts
Context

The murder of Sarah Everard sparked a national debate about restrictions placed on what victims' families could say during victim impact statements.

Question

Does the Minister think it is wrong that restrictions are placed on what victims and their relatives can say in their impact statements?

Answer from Alex Davies-Jones

We are considering how to best represent victims' voices in court and at sentencing. We will update him on our discussions about ensuring victims are represented in the criminal justice system.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a direct opinion or commitment to amend restrictions

How: We Are Considering, Debated In Committee

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Q4 Josh Babarinde Lib Dem Eastbourne
Justice & Courts Women & Equalities
Context

A constituent survived violent economic abuse, including occupation of her property without consent and vandalism, leading to delays in civil court proceedings.

Question

What steps can the Government take both to support survivors who are living through this kind of hell and to speed up legal proceedings preventing my constituent from being free once again?

Answer from Alex Davies-Jones

We are developing policy work, including co-habiting couples’ rights and working across Government with MHCLG, Treasury, and DWP to tackle all elements of violence against women and girls, including economic abuse. I will update him on these discussions in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details or timelines for support measures or expediting legal proceedings

How: Developing Policy Work, Working Across Government

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