Labour today publishes a detailed Green Paper on how to end the
epidemic of violence against women and girls.
The unusual move for an Opposition party comes after the
Government’s failure to take sufficient action in either its
Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill or the Queen’s Speech,
and amid public concern that not enough is being done.
The plans would make misogyny a hate crime, toughen existing
sentences for perpetrators of rape and stalking, create new
specific offences for street sexual harassment and the practice
of landlords asking for sex in lieu of rent, as well as
introducing bold measures to reverse record low conviction rates
for rape.
The wide-ranging, cross-departmental approach sets out a
long-term response to tackling the misogyny that underpins the
abuse women and girls face at home, in the street, at school,
college and university, in the workplace, and online.
It would be strengthened by binding measures to hold the
Government to account and ensure progress is made, building on
legislation brought in by the Welsh Labour Government.
New proposals include:
- Toughening sentences for rape, stalking and domestic murder,
reviewing sentencing for all domestic abuse and introducing whole
life tariffs for those who rape, abduct and murder a stranger
- Removing legal barriers that prevent victims of domestic
abuse getting the help they need, such as through legal aid and
‘no recourse to public funds’
- Bringing in new custodial sentences for those who name
victims of rape and sexual assault
- Introducing a survivor support package to improve victims’
experience in the courts, including fast tracking rape and sexual
violence cases, legal help for victims and better training for
professionals to give people the help they need
- Introducing new measures for those who face additional
barriers to protection and support, such as migrant, Black, Asian
and ethnic minority, LGBT+, and disabled women and girls
- Training for teachers to help identify, respond to and
support child victims of domestic abuse
- Introducing criminal sanctions for tech executives who do not
act fast enough to remove misogynistic abuse on their platforms
- Repealing the rape clause for social security claims,
reviewing single payments for Universal Credit and ending the
five week wait, to ensure domestic abuse survivors can access the
support they need quickly
MP,
Labour’s Shadow Justice Secretary, said:
“The Conservatives are failing to protect women and girls from
violent criminals, which should be one of the first duties of any
government.
“With record low conviction rates for perpetrators of sexual
violence and an epidemic of misogyny that makes women and girls
feel unsafe, this Government is treating victims of violence as
an afterthought.
“Enough is enough. Labour is putting tackling gender-based
violence at the very top of our agenda.”
, Shadow Domestic Violence and Safeguarding
Minister, said:
"The violence that women and girls face is endemic, and no matter
how much the Government want to paint a picture of it being a
rare crime, the figures tell a different story. The Conservatives
are letting women and girls down, but Labour will act."
,
Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, said:
“There have been too many warm words and far too little action
from this Government. That is why I am proud that Labour is
setting radical policies to tackle violence and harassment,
whilst delivering the support so lacking for victims."
Ends
Notes to editors
- The full Green Paper is attached.
