Oral Answers to Questions Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Home Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Jess Asato Excerpts
Monday 29th July 2024

(3 months, 3 weeks ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Watch Debate Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Jess Asato Portrait Jess Asato (Lowestoft) (Lab)
- Hansard - -

19. What steps her Department plans to take to tackle violence against women and girls.

Catherine Atkinson Portrait Catherine Atkinson (Derby North) (Lab)
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

22. What steps her Department plans to take to tackle violence against women and girls.

--- Later in debate ---
Yvette Cooper Portrait Yvette Cooper
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

My hon. Friend makes an immensely important point. She is a strong voice for victims of the most terrible abuse and violence. We need to ensure that victims get support, and that action is taken against perpetrators. Too often, the focus is on the too-weak support for victims, and there is not enough proper, strong action to go after perpetrators and ensure that they face justice for their terrible crimes. We will set out a new perpetrators programme to properly ensure that the police pursue the most dangerous offenders when it comes to violence against women and girls. That is the best way to ensure that everyone can stay safe.

Jess Asato Portrait Jess Asato
- View Speech - Hansard - -

The situation facing specialist charities is acutely difficult. Many local services have had to close their doors due to a lack of funding, including, sadly, Suffolk Rape Crisis. Long-term sustainable funding is crucial if women are to be supported after abuse and kept safe from future harm. Could my right hon. Friend confirm that Labour’s mission will include a review of funding for these life-saving services?

Yvette Cooper Portrait Yvette Cooper
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

Our mission needs to be comprehensive, and to involve every area and local community; it is not just about the work of Government. We want strong partnerships in every area across the country, focusing on how to prevent violence against women and girls, ensuring that victims get support and pursuing perpetrators. We are keen to work closely with voluntary and third-sector organisations and refuges to make sure that we do that.