Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy

Baroness Brinton Excerpts

Wednesday 21st January 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Smith of Cluny (Lab)]

The noble Baroness raises an important issue. Honour-based abuse is directly addressed in the strategy, as the noble Baroness has observed. It is often hidden in nature. That means we must try harder to address the needs of victims and build trust with them. We have set out clear action within the strategy, which includes continuing to fund the Karma Nirvana national honour-based abuse helpline, and have committed, as the noble Baroness identified, to a statutory definition of honour-based abuse. The strategy, as with all matters contained within it, has a collaborative, adaptive approach, and that is why we will be engaging with stakeholders as we develop that.

[Baroness Brinton (LD)]

My Lords, the violence against women and girls action plan sets out clear steps for schools in updating relationships and sex education, making it mandatory for all pupils and students. Are teachers also having training in recognising children who may be at risk from domestic abuse at home and on how to refer them to experts? I ask because, although money for training on RSE is there, it is not evident in the action plan.

[Baroness Smith of Cluny (Lab)]

The key point to note is that the entire strategy is fully funded. At least £1 billion is being spent across government over the spending review, and that includes funding for education. Indeed, there are other government programmes, because it is a cross-government approach, through other departments, such as the Department for Education, to address the very matters that the noble Baroness raises.