Crime and Policing Bill (Second sitting)

Jo Platt Excerpts

Committee stage
Thursday 27th March 2025 Public Bill Committees

[The Chair]

Baroness Newlove, is there anything you think we should add?

Baroness Newlove: No, I will leave it to the expert.

[Jo Platt (Leigh and Atherton) (Lab/Co-op)]

Q Thank you for attending. I want to address the breach of protection orders. This question is more for Suky. I have been dealing with a case in Wigan, where the victim’s ex-partner committed the most heinous crime. Given that more than half of stalking victims are targeted by former intimate partners, do you think the Bill goes far enough in addressing breach of protection orders, or could it go further?

Suky Bhaker: I think it could go further. That breaches are not being prosecuted robustly enough was something that the super-complaint committee picked up quite clearly. To that end we feel that there needs to be minimum sentencing in place for breaches to ensure that there is a clear deterrent to perpetrators—that this order holds weight and if it is breached, you will be prosecuted.

[Matt Bishop]

Q Baroness Newlove, given that intimate image abuse disproportionately affects women and girls, how do you think the changes will specifically help to address the unique challenges that they face in seeking justice and support?

Baroness Newlove: It is all about regulations. As the Victims’ Commissioner, I am working closely with Ofcom. It feels very much that this is designed for individuals. It is not designed to really get the tech companies to show up and do what they are supposed to do. We need to get more of the tech companies to take more responsibility and not leave it to the party who has been damaged.