Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member constituency
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed grouped question UIN question first answered answering member label previous answer version answering member constituency answering member printed answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

173675

	registered interest
	date	14/01/2015
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Domestic Abuse
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what guidance his Department has issued on the treatment in the criminal treatment system of women experiencing domestic violence.
	tabling member constituency	Feltham and Heston
	tabling member printed	Seema Malhotra
	uin	220702
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/01/2015 answer text <p /> <p>Domestic abuse is the worst possible violation of the trust that those in close relationships place in one another. That is why tackling domestic violence and abuse has been one of this Government’s top priorities. We are committed to ensuring that victims of this serious crime are considered in all aspects of the criminal justice system, and supported appropriately.</p><p> </p><p>The Victims’ Code was implemented in December 2013. It sets out to criminal justice agencies the enhanced services and support they must provide to victims of the most serious crimes, including victims of domestic violence. This includes providing information on pre-trial therapy and counselling and referral to specialist organisations for support.</p><p>As part of the current pilot of adult out-of-court disposals, the Ministry of Justice has issued guidance to the three participating police forces (Staffordshire, West Yorkshire, and Leicestershire) setting out how the framework should be used for low-level offences involving domestic violence. The guidance imposes a number of restrictions on the forces and requires them to obtain the victim’s consent for the matter to be dealt with out of court.</p><p>In addition, the National Offender Management Service’s framework <em>Supporting Women offenders who have experienced domestic or sexual violence</em>, published in September 2011, is designed to provide guidance to those working with female offenders in custody and the community. The framework intends to ensure that interventions and services take place within an environment in which women who have been victims of domestic violence are able to both disclose abuse and receive support and advice in a safe, female only environment.</p><p> </p><p>In addition to these pieces of guidance, my Right Honourable Friend, the Secretary of State for the Home Department has issued the <em>Violence Against Women and Girls Action Plan</em>, which sets out the Government’s approach to tackling domestic violence and abuse, and is supported by guidance to victims, their friends, families, employers and colleagues.</p> answering member constituency Hemel Hempstead answering member printed Mike Penning question first answered 19/01/2015 17:40:36 answering member 1528 label Biography information for Sir Mike Penning
	tabling member	4253 label Biography information for Seema Malhotra

170511

	registered interest
	date	15/12/2014
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Domestic Abuse
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many specialist domestic violence courts have closed since 2010.
	tabling member constituency	Hammersmith
	tabling member printed	Mr Andy Slaughter
	uin	218706
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/01/2015 answer text <p /> <p>From April 2010 Local Criminal Justice Boards (LCJBs) took responsibility for the governance and performance management of the 143 accredited Specialist Domestic Violence Courts (SDVCs) across England and Wales. As of March 2014 there were 137 accredited SDVCs. However, the closure of SDVCs in some areas does not necessarily mean that provision in that area has ceased, as many of the SDVC systems cover a number of courthouses. Closure of an SDVC in one courthouse would simply mean that the case would be heard in another accredited courthouse within the Local Justice Area.</p><p> </p><p>HMCTS remains committed to a partnership approach to supporting domestic violence victims going through the Criminal Justice Process.</p> answering member constituency North West Cambridgeshire answering member printed Mr Shailesh Vara question first answered 06/01/2015 17:14:11 answering member 1496 label Biography information for Shailesh Vara
	tabling member	1516 label Biography information for Andy Slaughter

155540

	registered interest
	date	11/11/2014
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Domestic Abuse
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many and what proportion of cases in courts marked as domestic violence incidents related to (a) male perpetrators against female partners and (b) all other forms of domestic violence in the latest period for which figures are available.
	tabling member constituency	Shipley
	tabling member printed	Philip Davies
	uin	214191
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/11/2014 answer text <p /> <p>This government is committed to tackling domestic violence and abuse and to delivering a better response for the victims of these appalling crimes.</p><p> </p><p>We have ring-fenced £40 million for victims’ services; piloted and rolled out Clare’s Law and domestic violence protection orders; extended the definition of domestic abuse to cover controlling behaviour and teenage relationships; run two successful campaigns to challenge perceptions of abuse; placed Domestic Homicide Reviews on a statutory footing to make sure lessons are learnt from individual tragedies; criminalised forced marriage and consulted on the creation of a single criminal offence of domestic abuse.</p><p> </p><p>The Ministry of Justice Court Proceeding Database holds information on offences provided by the statute under which proceedings are brought but not all the specific circumstances of each case. Data on those proceeded against, found guilty and sentenced for offences involving domestic violence, such as threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between adults are not separately identified in the data reported centrally to the Ministry of Justice. Furthermore, it is not possible to separately identify the relationship between defendant and victim, and their gender. This detailed information is not reported to Justice Statistical Analytical Services due to their size and complexity and as such, it can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.</p> answering member constituency Hemel Hempstead answering member printed Mike Penning question first answered 21/11/2014 14:41:48 answering member 1528 label Biography information for Sir Mike Penning
	tabling member	1565 label Biography information for Philip Davies

91306

	registered interest
	date	09/09/2014
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Domestic Abuse
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many domestic violence incidents have been reported to the police in the last 12 months; and in how many such cases the police (a) took no further action, (b) charged perpetrators with a criminal offence and (c) secured a prosecution.
	tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
	tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
	uin	208825
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/09/2014 answer text <p /> <p>In 2012-13, the most recent year for which we have this information, there were 838,026 incidents of domestic abuse, which covers both physical and <br>non-physical abuse, recorded by the police. Data for incidents in which the police took no further action are not collected by the Home Office. <br><br>The latest data from the Crown Prosecution Service show that the volume of domestic violence referrals from the police rose to 103,569 in 2013-14 from 2012-13 which is the highest level since CPS recording began. 72,905 (70.4% of these referrals) were charged, the highest volumes and proportions since CPS recording began in 2007-8. The volume of prosecutions completed in 2013-14 rose to 78,071 - a rise of 7,369 prosecutions(10.4%) from 2012-13. The volume of convictions reached 58,276 - a rise of 5,727 convictions (10.9%) since 2012-13. <br><br>In September 2013, the Home Secretary commissioned Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary to undertake a comprehensive review on how the police deal with domestic violence and abuse because she was concerned that the response is inadequate.<br><br>Their report, published in March 2013, exposed significant failings, including unacceptable variations in charging perpetrators of domestic abuse with <br>criminal offences. In response to that report, the Home Secretary established a National Oversight Group, which she is chairing, to drive delivery against HMIC’s recommendations. The Home Secretary also wrote to chief constables making it clear that every police force must have a domestic abuse action plan in place by September 2014.</p><p /> answering member constituency Lewes answering member printed Norman Baker question first answered 18/09/2014 14:16:29 answering member 28 label Biography information for Norman Baker
	tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis

62440

	registered interest
	date	17/06/2014
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Domestic Abuse
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with police forces in England and Wales and with the Football Association of England in order to counter any rise in domestic violence while England are playing in the World Cup 2014; and what steps they are taking to ensure that police forces and supporting agencies are fully resourced to deal with the matter.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Gale
	uin	HL378
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/06/2014 answer text <p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Domestic abuse is an abhorrent crime and the Coalition Government is committed to ending it whenever it occurs. <br><br>Together with the police, we are supporting the Football United Against Domestic Abuse campaign by Women's Aid, the launch of which was attended by the Crime Prevention Minister and supported by the Home Secretary. This campaign is working with the football community to unite players, clubs and fans at all levels against behaviour and attitudes that underpin domestic abuse.<br><br>The Crime Prevention Minister intends to meet with footballing interests in the near future to build on this campaign.<br><br>As part of its commitment to tackle domestic abuse, the Government is re-running a campaign to highlight the devastating consequences of domestic abuse for perpetrators of domestic abuse. The campaign was launched on 9 June and activity will run throughout the World Cup until 14 July 2014. Through posters and digital adverts, this campaign will target potential perpetrators and remind them of the terrible impact of violence on relationships.<br><br>Additional support to victims of domestic abuse is available through specialist local domestic abuse services and the national domestic violence helplines. The CoalitionGovernment has ring-fenced nearly £28 million of funding up to 2015 to support these services, which includes part-funding 144 Independent Domestic Violence Advisors and 54 Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference co-ordinator posts.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Taylor of Holbeach question first answered 26/06/2014 15:52:52 answering member 3787 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Holbeach
	tabling member	2503 label Biography information for Baroness Gale

62337

	registered interest
	date	17/06/2014
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Domestic Abuse
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent steps her Department is taking to help end domestic abuse and violence against women.
	tabling member constituency	North Swindon
	tabling member printed	Justin Tomlinson
	uin	201115
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/06/2014 answer text <p> </p><p> </p><p>Domestic violence is a dreadful form of abuse and is not acceptable within our <br>society. The Coalition Government's approach to tackling domestic violence and <br>abuse is set out in its Violence against Women and Girls Action Plan, updated in March <br>2014.<br><br>In 2013, the Home Secretary commissioned Her Majesty's Inspectorate of <br>Constabulary to undertake a comprehensive review on how the police deal with<br>domestic violence and abuse. HMIC's report exposed significant failings. In response<br>to the Review, the Home Secretary has established a National Oversight Group, which <br>she is chairing, and on which I sit, to ensure HMIC's recommendations are acted upon.<br>The Group met for the first time on 10 June. The Home Secretary has also written to chief constables making it clear that every police force must have an action plan in place by September 2014, to improve their response to domestic violence and abuse.<br><br>The Government is committed to ensuring that the police and other agencies have <br>the tools necessary to tackle domestic violence, to bring offenders to justice <br>and to ensure victims have the support they need to rebuild their lives. On 8 <br>March 2014, the Government announced the national roll-out of Domestic Violence <br>Protection Orders following the successful conclusion of a one-year <br>pilot in three police force areas including Wiltshire, as well as the Domestic <br>Violence Disclosure Scheme following the successful conclusion in <br>September 2013 of a one-year pilot in four police force areas – once again <br>including Wiltshire.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Lewes answering member printed Norman Baker question first answered 26/06/2014 15:22:10 answering member 28 label Biography information for Norman Baker previous answer version 4350 answering member constituency Lewes answering member printed Norman Baker answering member 28 label Biography information for Norman Baker
	tabling member	4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson

89769

	registered interest
	date	29/08/2014
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Domestic Abuse
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to ensure that all victims of domestic violence are given equal protection irrespective of gender or sexual orientation.
	tabling member constituency	Chesterfield
	tabling member printed	Toby Perkins
	uin	207382
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/09/2014 answer text <p> </p><p> </p><p>The legislative framework for protecting victims of domestic abuse already applies to everyone, irrespective of gender or sexual orientation.<br><br>The Coalition Government is currently consulting on whether the existing law on domestic abuse needs to be strengthened to offer better protection to victims. <br>The consultation is focused on whether a specific offence should be created that captures patterns of coercive and controlling behaviour in intimate relationships, in line with the government’s non-statutory definition of domestic abuse. As part of this consultation, we welcome views on how all victims can be better protected.<br><br>Details of the consultation can be found at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/strengthening-the-law-on-domestic-abuse" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/strengthening-the-law-on-domestic-abuse</a></p><p><br>The consultation closes on 15 October 2014, after which we will consider carefully the responses received to inform our proposals.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Lewes answering member printed Norman Baker question first answered 05/09/2014 16:52:00 answering member 28 label Biography information for Norman Baker
	tabling member	3952 label Biography information for Mr Toby Perkins

65213

	registered interest
	date	01/07/2014
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Domestic Abuse
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the review led by Dr Elizabeth Bates of the University of Cumbria showing that women are more likely to physically and mentally abuse their partners, whether they will encourage men to report such violence to the police.
	tabling member printed	Lord Stoddart of Swindon
	uin	HL749
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p> </p><p>We recognise that men can be victims of domestic violence and abuse, so the Government recognises the need to support frontline organisations working with male victims to ensure there is an enhancement of service provision for male victims. The Government's approach to tackling domestic violence and abuse is laid out in the Violence Against Women and Girls Action Plan, refreshed in March 2014:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/287758/VAWG_Action_Plan.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/287758/VAWG_Action_Plan.pdf</a></p><p> </p><p>which includes actions to protect men from domestic and sexual violence. This includes funding the Men's Advice Line and Broken Rainbow helplines. We are committed to supporting this vital service for male victims.<br><br>The Government believes that any victims suffering persistent abuse should be treated equally and is committed to supporting all victims of this terrible crime, regardless of gender, race or ethnicity.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Taylor of Holbeach question first answered 11/07/2014 13:39:47 answering member 3787 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Holbeach
	tabling member	950 label Biography information for Lord Stoddart of Swindon

61770

	registered interest
	date	12/06/2014
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Domestic Abuse
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will revise her Department's guidelines to the Metropolitan Police on whether domestic violence cases should be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service before prosecutions can be initiated by the police; and if she will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow West
	tabling member printed	Mr Gareth Thomas
	uin	200521
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/06/2014 answer text <p> </p><p><br>The Coalition Government takes the issue of domestic violence and abuse extremely seriously. That is why in 2013, the Home Secretary commissioned HMIC (Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary) to undertake a comprehensive review on how the police deal with domestic violence and abuse and is chairing a National Oversight Group, on which I also sit, to oversee the delivery of HMIC's recommendations. Following the publication of HMIC's report, the College of Policing is updating its authorised professional practice for officers on domestic abuse.<br><br>The Metropolitan Police Service uses national CPS guidelines when referring cases for prosecution. The Director of Public Prosecution's Guidance on Charging clearly advises both police officers and prosecutors that the CPS will charge all domestic violence cases where the appropriate evidential standard has been met. The CPS is also currently revising its domestic violence policy - a revised policy was published for consultation on 14 May 2014. The CPS is also working closely with the police to assess how the criminal justice response can be improved together with the police consideration of the HMIC review.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Lewes answering member printed Norman Baker question first answered 17/06/2014 14:47:06 answering member 28 label Biography information for Norman Baker
	tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas

62338

	registered interest
	date	17/06/2014
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Domestic Abuse
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans her Department has to bring forward proposals to criminalise coercive control and psychological abuse for the purpose of protection of victims of domestic violence.
	tabling member constituency	Braintree
	tabling member printed	Mr Brooks Newmark
	uin	201084
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/06/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Last September, the Home Secretary commissioned Her Majesty's Inspectorate of <br>Constabulary to conduct a review of the response to domestic abuse <br>across all police forces. HMIC published its findings in March 2014, <br>emphasising that the key priority is a culture change in the police so that <br>domestic violence and abuse is treated as the crime that it is and that the <br>police use the full range of tools already available to them. <br><br>In response to the Review, the Home Secretary has established a new national <br>oversight group, which she is chairing, and on which I sit, to oversee delivery <br>against each of HMIC's recommendations. Their first meeting was held <br>on 10 June. The Home Secretary has also written to chief constables making it clear<br>that every police force must have an action plan in place by September 2014. <br><br>There are a number of offences that make domestic abuse illegal, including <br>actual bodily harm, grievous bodily harm and assault. Assault can extend to <br>non-physical harm. This Government has introduced stalking and harassment <br>legislation which can apply to coercive control and psychological abuse. <br>However, the Government will continue to consider what measures will drive <br>culture change in the police in response to the findings of the HMIC review.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Lewes answering member printed Norman Baker grouped question UIN 201085 question first answered 26/06/2014 16:08:31 answering member 28 label Biography information for Norman Baker
	tabling member	1488 label Biography information for Mr Brooks Newmark