Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Violence against Women and Girls

Wednesday 24 June 2026 · 9 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 5 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government committed to halving violence against women and girls within a decade, implementing various measures including domestic abuse specialists in emergency call centres and funding for education programmes.
  • Domestic abuse protection orders provide unlimited-duration protection to victims, safeguarding more than 1,000 individuals, and the government pledges to legislate for protections of children and young people.
  • Ministers support reviewing homicide law to address manslaughter charges linked to domestic abuse and are collaborating with experts to better understand and prevent suicides caused by domestic abuse.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alison Hume Lab Scarborough and Whitby
Women & Equalities
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.

Question

What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help tackle violence against women and girls?

Answer from Catherine Atkinson

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.

Answered
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Q2 Jessica Toale Lab Bournemouth West
Crime & Law Enforcement
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.

Question

What more are this Government doing to tackle the scourge of domestic violence?

Answer from Catherine Atkinson

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 Connor Rand Lab Altrincham and Sale West
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts Mental Health
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Catherine Atkinson

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 Alison Hume Lab Scarborough and Whitby
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The MP criticizes a previous statement linking domestic abuse to football results as misleading.

Question

Does the Minister agree with me and with Refuge that linking domestic violence to football allows perpetrators to avoid accountability for their horrific actions?

Answer from Catherine Atkinson

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 Roger Gale Con Herne Bay and Sandwich
NHS Women & Equalities
Context

The MP asks about a doctor still practising despite involvement in the intrusive examination of young women before rape.

Question

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?

Answer from Catherine Atkinson

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific action regarding the doctors still practising

How: Under Review

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Q6 Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath
Women & Equalities
Context

The MP discusses a roundtable on men filming degrading videos of women enjoying a night out, seeking government support.

Question

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?

Answer from Catherine Atkinson

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 Liz Jarvis Lib Dem Eastleigh
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

The MP mentions a parliamentary petition regarding victims of domestic abuse needing better treatment and support.

Question

Does the Minister agree that victims of domestic abuse, including coercive control, deserve better?

Answer from Catherine Atkinson

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific improvements for victims

How: More That Is Needed

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Q8 Mims Davies Con East Grinstead and Uckfield
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
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.

Question

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.

Answer from Catherine Atkinson

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitments on systemic change and truth for Harrods survivors

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Q9 Marie Goldman Lib Dem Chelmsford
Women & Equalities
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Catherine Atkinson

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitments on curriculum changes and resource allocation

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