Violence against Women and Girls
2026-06-24
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The question arises from concerns over the increasing violence against women and girls, prompting a request for specific actions being taken by the government.
What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help tackle violence against women and girls?
We have made the landmark commitment to halve violence against women and girls within a decade, providing domestic abuse specialists in 999 call centres, specialist rape and sexual offence investigation units, and £16 million for programmes in schools on healthy relationships and tackling harmful behaviour.
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Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP has introduced a private Member's Bill to extend domestic abuse protections to children and young people in abusive relationships, seeking government support.
What more are this Government doing to tackle the scourge of domestic violence?
We are putting domestic abuse specialists in 999 call centres, prosecutions are rising, and domestic abuse protection orders can provide unlimited-duration protection, protecting more than 1,000 victims. We welcome the commitment to legislating for protections of children and young people caught in abusive relationships.
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Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP highlights an increasing trend of women taking their own lives due to domestic violence, with under-reporting and lack of criminal accountability.
Could the Minister update the House on what the Government are doing to tackle this crisis, and to bring to justice the men who drive women to end their lives?
The Government have asked the Law Commission to conduct a review of homicide law, including manslaughter charges where abuse may drive someone to suicide. We are working with experts to better understand and prevent suicides linked to domestic abuse.
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Q4
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP criticizes a previous statement linking domestic abuse to football results as misleading.
Does the Minister agree with me and with Refuge that linking domestic violence to football allows perpetrators to avoid accountability for their horrific actions?
I completely agree. Domestic abuse is caused by perpetrators making a choice to abuse women, and suggesting otherwise allows abusers to deflect responsibility and avoid accountability.
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Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP asks about a doctor still practising despite involvement in the intrusive examination of young women before rape.
Does the Minister agree that it is iniquitous that at least one of the doctors responsible for the intrusive examination of young women prior to their rape and sexual abuse by Mohammed Fayed is still practising in London? If she does, would she approach the General Medical Council to ask why that is?
We are committed to halving violence against women and girls, including looking at healthcare settings. We would be happy to meet to discuss this further.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific action regarding the doctors still practising
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q6
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP discusses a roundtable on men filming degrading videos of women enjoying a night out, seeking government support.
I recently hosted a roundtable with leading organisations in the VAWG sector to discuss the vile trend of men filming degrading videos of women enjoying a night out. Can the Minister ensure that her Department takes this very seriously, and will she meet me to discuss solutions?
We are committed to tackling online abuse through criminalising non-consensual deepfakes, banning nudification tools, and putting legal duties on platforms to remove non-consensual intimate images within 48 hours. We would be happy to meet the hon. Lady to discuss solutions.
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Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP mentions a parliamentary petition regarding victims of domestic abuse needing better treatment and support.
Does the Minister agree that victims of domestic abuse, including coercive control, deserve better?
Victims of domestic violence need to be treated well and see more action taken by police, courts, and services. We are taking action through putting specialists in 999 call centres and domestic abuse protection orders.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific improvements for victims
More That Is Needed
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Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
Hundreds of women at Harrods reported being sexually assaulted by senior staff, leading to systemic cover-ups. The Met police inquiry is stalled, leaving over 500 victims without justice.
Kate, a former Harrods employee, testified about being raped during her employment in 2024. Hundreds of women have endured similar assaults and cover-ups by senior staff and security. With the Met police inquiry stalled, how will these victims receive justice, systemic change, and full truth? I met some survivors this week who need answers.
I have met with victims and campaigners from the al-Fayed campaign, as has the Prime Minister. We must ensure that everyone receives justice regardless of their status or location.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitments on systemic change and truth for Harrods survivors
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Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
The government has announced a social media ban for under-16s to combat violence against women and girls, but new platforms may emerge. The education curriculum needs resources to teach children about online safety.
While welcoming the social media ban for under-16s to tackle misogyny and online harm, we need more than just legislation; parents and teachers must be equipped with tools to recognise and challenge harmful content. Will the Minister work with the Department for Education to ensure that teachers have resources and support in the curriculum?
The hon. Member is correct; we need a cross-Government strategy to prevent violence against women and girls, not just pursue perpetrators or provide support for victims. The Department for Education is piloting programmes with young people in schools.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitments on curriculum changes and resource allocation
Response accuracy