WUNRN
UK – Question if Government Is Doing Less at Home than Abroad on Violence Against Women & Girls
19 February 2015 - The Joint Committee on Human Rights
warns in their new report that the Government could harm its international
reputation by failing to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on preventing
and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the Istanbul
Convention).
Report: Violence against women and girls
Report: Violence against women and girls (PDF)
Inquiry: Violence against women and girls
Joint Committee on Human Rights
The Committee concludes that the Government’s progressive work on tackling
violence against women and girls abroad is not translating into its domestic
policy, despite its Violence against Women and Girls Action
Strategy and the Home Secretary’s personal commitment to the issue.
Refuge spaces and specialist services
The Committee warns that failure to provide adequate refuge spaces and
specialist services for victims of violence against women and girls
demonstrates the difficulty for the Government in fulfilling its international
obligations under the Convention when decisions over commissioning of certain
services has been devolved.
Cultural issues
The Committee also expresses alarm at the prevalence of violence against
women and girls across many cultures in the UK today, and heard troubling
evidence from many minority groups that represent women with particular needs.
The Committee was concerned at the failings of the Government to reach and
protect these victims.
Immigration, education, training and media
The Committee also:
Dr. Hywel Francis MP, Chair of the Committee, Said:
“Barely a week goes by without a news story about domestic violence, rape,
sexual abuse or some form of violence against women. We commend the Government
for the commitment it has shown to tackling these crimes but emphasise that the
work to prevent these crimes must not let up. We should not forget that when
the police do not conduct proper risk assessments, or women are turned away
from refuges due to lack of space, women’s lives can be in serious danger.
Gender inequality is prevalent across many cultures in the UK and this is a
cause and consequence of violence against women. The portrayal of women as
victims of violence is deeply embedded in cultural stereotypes, in the
depiction of women in the media and in how women are treated in the asylum
system. This has to stop.
We recommend further work be carried out into equality between the sexes within cultures in the UK."