David Evennett
Main Page: David Evennett (Conservative - Bexleyheath and Crayford)Department Debates - View all David Evennett's debates with the Home Office
(7 years, 4 months ago)
Commons Chamber Mr Speaker
    
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            Mr Speaker 
        
    
        
    
        Congratulating him on his knighthood, I call the right hon. Member for Bexleyheath and Crayford (Sir David Evennett).
 Sir David Evennett (Bexleyheath and Crayford) (Con)
    
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            Sir David Evennett (Bexleyheath and Crayford) (Con) 
        
    
        
    
        Thank you, Mr Speaker. Can my hon. Friend confirm that the first ever statutory definition of domestic abuse will recognise that it is not just physical, but can take many different forms—psychological, sexual, economic and emotional—all of which should be considered?
 Victoria Atkins
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            Victoria Atkins 
        
    
        
    
        I echo your congratulations to my right hon. Friend, Mr Speaker. I can give him the confirmation for which he has asked. The purpose of the Bill is to include in legislation, for the first time, a cross-governmental definition of domestic abuse. We know that it is not confined to physical violence but can take many forms, and we want the law to reflect that.