Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Victoria Atkins and Laura Smith

Monday 10th June 2019 Commons Chamber

[Laura Smith (Crewe and Nantwich) (Lab)]

T10. What recent assessment has the Secretary of State made regarding the number of girls and women being sexually exploited in connection with county lines drug trafficking, and what steps is his Department taking to tackle this specific problem?

[Victoria Atkins]

I am grateful to the hon. Lady for that question. She is right to identify the fact that there is emerging evidence that gangs are ensnaring girls, in particular to rape them, but also to conceal weapons and drugs for the larger gang. If I may, I will write to her with the precise details. I am pleased that she has raised this because we tend to think of male members of gangs, but she is absolutely right to remind us that this includes girls as well.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Victoria Atkins and Laura Smith

Monday 1st April 2019 Commons Chamber

[Laura Smith (Crewe and Nantwich) (Lab)]

T10. What does the Minister say to the victims and survivors of historical sexual abuse in my constituency who were horrified by the recent comments of the right hon. Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Boris Johnson) on spending by her Department on investigating such crimes?

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Victoria Atkins)]

I share completely the views of, I think, most Members of this House that the victims of child sexual abuse, whether current or historical, deserve justice, deserve fairness, and deserve our support. Our use of language in this arena is vital, and the priority of this Government will always be to support those victims.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Victoria Atkins and Laura Smith

Monday 16th April 2018 Commons Chamber

[Laura Smith (Crewe and Nantwich) (Lab)]

15. Whether she is taking steps to reduce the demand for prostitution in the UK.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Victoria Atkins)]

The Government’s focus remains on protecting those selling sex from harm and enabling the police to target those who exploit vulnerable people involved in prostitution. We recognise the need for research on the nature and prevalence of prostitution before we consider any changes to legislation and policy. We have commissioned research by the University of Bristol to achieve this aim.

[Laura Smith]

Article 6 of the 1979 United Nations convention on gender equality and the empowerment of women positions prostitution as symbolic of women’s continued discrimination and inequality. What is being done to address that and to prevent inequality and discrimination happening to women who find themselves in that vulnerable position?

[Victoria Atkins]

We are very clear that we want to tackle the harm and exploitation that may result from prostitution. We want a strong evidence base to inform any changes that may or may not be made in future, and that is why we have commissioned this research. However, we are clear about the harm from prostitution and that enabling people who want to leave it must be accommodated.