Labour's Plan for Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls

Last week’s general election saw Labour return to government. Given the size of their majority in Parliament, expectations are high that they will enact laws to reflect the commitments made in their manifesto. This includes their “landmark mission” to halve violence against women and girls within the decade.

This article highlights what pledges the Labour party have made to achieve that goal by identifying, preventing and eradicating violence against women and girls.

Identify

The Labour Party manifesto includes several commitments on what they will do to identify violence against women and girls. These commitments are:

• The introduction of domestic abuse experts in 999 control rooms, so that victims can talk directly to a specialist.
• The introduction of a legal advocate in every police force area to advise victims from the moment of a report to trial.
• Schools will address misogyny and teach young people about healthy relationships and consent.
• Stronger training to police officers on violence against women and girls.
• There will be a review of sentencing powers because the Labour Party believe that some criminal sentences do not make sense to the victim or the wider public.

Prevent 

To stop violence against women and girls from happening, the Labour Party pledge the following:

• The introduction of specialist rape and sexual offences teams in every police force.
• The most prolific and harmful perpetrators will be targeted, using tactics normally reserved for terrorist and organised crime.
• The use of Stalking Protection Orders will be strengthened.
• A new criminal offence of spiking — giving someone alcohol or drugs without their consent — will be introduced.
• Anyone with a history of violence against women and girls will be barred from joining the police.
• There will be an automatic suspensions for police officers investigated for domestic abuse.
• To build on the Online Safety Act 2023, bringing forward provisions as quickly as possible, and explore further measures to keep everyone safe online, particularly when using social media.

Eradicate

To fulfil their pledge — to halve violence against women and girls within the decade — the Labour Party will:

• Fast track rape prosecutions in specialist courts at every Crown Court in England and Wales.
• Strengthen the rights and protections available to women in co-habiting couples.
• Strengthen the rights and protections available for whistleblowers in the workplace, including on sexual harassment.

Comment

The pledges outlined above clearly show that ending violence against women and girls is — rightly — an important objective on the Government’s agenda. A new government brings new opportunities. Everyone will be hoping that the policies that are introduced will help achieve their mission statement and create a solid foundation for even more work to be done to prevent any violence against women and girls.