Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Home Office

Oral Answers to Questions

David Evennett Excerpts
Monday 4th June 2018

(6 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Congratulating him on his knighthood, I call the right hon. Member for Bexleyheath and Crayford (Sir David Evennett).

David Evennett Portrait Sir David Evennett (Bexleyheath and Crayford) (Con)
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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 Portrait Victoria Atkins
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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.