Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Violence against Women and Girls

Wednesday 14 October 2026 · 3 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government plans to roll out specialist rape and serious sexual offences courtrooms in every Crown court across England and Wales.
  • Minister offered to raise Harshita Brella's case with relevant Departments to provide reassurance to her family.
  • Attorney General hosted a roundtable focusing on tech-facilitated violence against women and girls, and CPS will publish a dedicated action plan.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sarah Olney
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts Women & Equalities
Context

Sarah Olney is concerned about the low prosecution rates in cases of violence against women and girls. She mentions the Public Accounts Committee's warning that the government will not meet its manifesto commitment to halve violence against women and girls unless it addresses the evolving nature of abuse.

Question

What steps are being taken to help increase prosecution rates in cases of violence against women and girls? The Public Accounts Committee warned that the government would not meet its manifesto commitment to halve violence against women and girls if it did not address the evolving nature of abuse. Technologically facilitated abuse is growing rapidly, with referrals to Refuge rising by nearly 80% last year and offences increasing by 27%. However, the proportion of cases resulting in a charge fell from 5.8% to 4.5%. The questioner specifically asks about steps to increase prosecution rates in cases of technologically facilitated abuse.

Answer from Ellie Reeves

The Government announced plans to roll out specialist rape and serious sexual offences courtrooms in every Crown court across England and Wales. The courtrooms will encourage more victims to come forward and prioritise their cases. In July, I hosted a roundtable with the CPS, police, and third sector, focusing on tech-facilitated violence against women and girls. The CPS will publish a dedicated action plan on tech-facilitated violence against women and girls, building on its VAWG strategy published last November.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific steps or commitments to increase prosecution rates in cases of technologically facilitated abuse.

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Q2 Lee Barron
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

Harshita Brella was murdered in Corby, her body dumped in the boot of a car. An arrest warrant was issued for Harshita's husband, who fled the country. Lee Barron seeks reassurance that all relevant departments are being engaged to bring justice to Harshita and her family.

Question

It is almost two years since Harshita Brella was murdered in Corby, her body dumped in the boot of a car. An arrest warrant was issued for Harshita's husband, who fled the country. Will the Minister raise Harshita's case with other relevant Departments, and give her family the reassurance that all is being done to bring Harshita the justice that she and her family so desperately deserve?

Answer from Ellie Reeves

My hon. Friend raises a deeply concerning case. Our thoughts remain with Harshita's family as they continue to seek justice for their daughter. I would, of course, be happy to raise this matter with my ministerial colleagues and get back to him.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a concrete commitment to raise the case with relevant departments.

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Q3 Sarah Olney
Women & Equalities
Context

Sarah Olney notes the Public Accounts Committee's warning that the government will not meet its manifesto commitment to halve violence against women and girls if it does not address the evolving nature of abuse. She mentions the rise in technologically facilitated abuse, with referrals to Refuge increasing by nearly 80% last year and offences increasing by 27%. However, the proportion of cases resulting in a charge fell from 5.8% to 4.5%.

Question

What steps is the Attorney General taking to help increase prosecution rates in cases of technologically facilitated abuse? The Public Accounts Committee warned that the government would not meet its manifesto commitment to halve violence against women and girls if it did not address the evolving nature of abuse. Technologically facilitated abuse is growing rapidly, with referrals to Refuge rising by nearly 80% last year and offences increasing by 27%. However, the proportion of cases resulting in a charge fell from 5.8% to 4.5%.

Answer from Ellie Reeves

The hon. Lady is right to point out the deeply worrying rise in tech-facilitated abuse. In July, I hosted a roundtable with the CPS, police, and third sector, specifically to focus on tech-facilitated violence against women and girls. The CPS will publish a dedicated action plan on tech-facilitated violence against women and girls, building on its VAWG strategy, which was published last November.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific steps to increase prosecution rates.

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