Oral Answers to Questions

Baroness Featherstone Excerpts

Monday 12th December 2011 Commons Chamber

[Karl MᶜCartney (Lincoln) (Con)]

4. What steps she is taking to tackle domestic violence against men.

[The Minister for Equalities (Lynne Featherstone)]

The Government recognise that men can be victims of domestic violence, and take this issue very seriously. Later this week, we will launch a fund of £225,000 over two years to support services focusing explicitly on male victims of sexual and domestic violence. That is in addition to the Home Office funding provided each year to the men’s advice line, which provides support and signposting services for male victims, and to Broken Rainbow, which provides support to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender victims.

[Karl MᶜCartney]

I welcome the announcement of the new fund by the Minister, as it will bring much-needed support for the victims of this deplorable crime. Will my hon. Friend also confirm that all domestic violence awareness campaigns run by this Government will be clearly aimed at supporting both female and male victims of domestic violence?

[Lynne Featherstone]

I can assure my hon. Friend that that is indeed the case. The recent teenage abuse campaign was aimed at both young men and women, because both can be subject to abuse from their contemporaries.

[Michael Ellis (Northampton North) (Con)]

5. What recent progress she has made on the introduction of police and crime commissioners.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Lynne Featherstone)]

This Government are committed to ending the abusive practice of forced marriage and to ensuring that victims are protected, as this is indefensible and never acceptable. The Government provide practical support to victims through the forced marriage unit, and we have today published a consultation on whether forced marriage should be made a criminal offence.

[Caroline Dinenage]

I thank the Minister for that answer and warmly welcome today’s announcement of a public consultation on this shameful practice. Does she agree that it is vital that the Government work closely with the relevant communities to ensure that women are no longer discouraged from reporting forced marriages?

[Lynne Featherstone]

My hon. Friend makes a very important point, and working with the communities is the only way deal with this issue. We want people to come forward and we do not want families to be deterred, so it is only by working with communities that we are likely to achieve our aims.

[Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab)]

16. What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the appointments booking system at her Department’s offices in Croydon.

--- Later in debate ---

[Craig Whittaker (Calder Valley) (Con)]

T7. Will the Minister explain what she is doing to ensure that the families of missing people get the help and support they need when a loved one goes missing?

[The Minister for Equalities (Lynne Featherstone)]

We have published the new missing children and adults strategy, which has three important provisions. The first of these is prevention and reducing the number of people who go missing in the first place. The second is protection and reducing the harm to those who do go missing. The third is provision—providing support and advice to missing persons and their families by referring them promptly to agencies and ensuring that they understand how and where to access help.

[Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab)]

Merseyside police have been very successful in cutting metal theft in my constituency, particularly by working with reputable traders. They deserve congratulations on their approach. Will the Home Secretary help the police across the country and back Labour’s four-point plan, including tougher police powers to close down rogue traders?