One
Year On: Women's Changing Lives
Minister for Women Harriet Harman on 29th July
published a new report 'Women's Changing Lives' which charts progress
made on the Government's priorities for women.
The report coincides with Government announcement of new laws on homicide
which will end the provocation defence for example in cases of domestic
homicide where the husband escapes murder charge by blaming his wife for
'provoking' him by her infidelity.
Ms Harman said: 'For centuries the law has allowed men to escape a murder
charge in domestic homicide cases by blaming the victim. Ending the provocation
defence in cases of 'infidelity'is an important law change and will end
the culture of excuses.
'There is no excuse for domestic violence, let alone taking a life. Whatever
happens in a relationship does not justify resorting to violence. So men
who kill their wife will have to face a murder charge and will no longer
be able to claim 'its her fault, she provoked me'.
'Changing the law will end the injustice of women being killed by their
husband and then being blamed. It will end the injustice of the perpetrators
making excuses saying it's not my fault - it's hers.'
As the Government plans to toughen the law in domestic violence cases,
the Government Equalities Office has published a factsheet on domestic
violence which includes the Domestic Homicide Map of Britain showing the
number of women killed by their partners across England and Wales. Ms
Harman said: 'We can and will make progress in tackling the dreadful toll
of domestic violence.'
The Ministers for Women's progress report marks one year on from when
the Ministers for Women and Equality set out their priorities - to support
women and families who are caring for children and elderly relatives;
tackle violence against women, and changing the way we treat women offenders;
and increasing the representation of black, Asian and minority ethnic
women in public life.
Ms Harman said: 'The Government is, and always has been, the champion
of equality and fairness for women. This reports shows that we have done
a great deal to support families, tackle violence against women, and promote
equal representation since I announced last July that these are the Government's
priorities for women.
'But progress has not been without a struggle. We must, and will, go further.
Last month I outlined details of a strong new Equality Bill, because we
are not satisfied and we must do more.'
In the past year the Government has:
* Announced £255 million more to support and improve the lives of
the country's carers through short breaks, more financial help, and health
checks.
* Announced that the right to request flexible working will be extended
to parents of children up to the age of 16 - helping an additional 4.5
million parents.
* Created a cross-government £1million emergency fund to support
rape crisis centres which provide vital support to rape victims.
* Published 'Women Not for Sale', showing how small ads in newspapers
can fuel demand for women trafficked for sexual exploitation. Ministers
met with members of the newspaper and advertising industry with many newspapers
now refusing offending adverts.
* Set up a review to look at what more can be done to reduce demand for
prostitution. This included visits to Sweden and Holland to look at legislative
and non-legislative approaches to prostitution and how other jurisdictions
are tackling human trafficking for sexual exploitation. The review will
report later in 2008.
* Taken steps to improve how women offenders are treated, including increasing
the use of community sentences for women who are not violent and often
have children.
* Announced it will legislate to enable political parties to use all-women
shortlists until 2030. There are now record levels of women in Parliament,
but only a fifth of MPs are women - despite making up half the population.
* Launched a new taskforce with a specific remit to encourage more black,
Asian and minority ethnic women to step forward to become a local councillor.
Since 1997, the Government has reduced the gender pay gap, doubled the
number of good quality affordable childcare places in England, introduced
the right to request flexible working for younger parents and those who
care for an older relative, improved maternity leave and pay, and introduced
paternity leave. Each of these will be improved further over the coming
years.
'Priorities for the Ministers for Women One Year On: Progress Report Women's
Changing Lives' can be downloaded from http://www.equalities.gov.uk
The consultation 'Murder and Manslaughter: Proposals for Reform of the
Law' was published on 29th July at http://www.justice.gov.uk
ACP comment on tackling violence against women
Commenting on the Government’s report Women’s Changing Lives,
Brian Moore, Chief Constable of Wiltshire and ACPO lead on domestic abuse
said:
'Violence against women in all its forms is unacceptable and ACPO is leading
the police service in doing all it can to protect and support victims
and to arrest perpetrators and put them before the courts. We urge victims
to come forward so that we and other agencies can help them.
'For some time ACPO has been calling for more consistent partnerships
between all the local agencies involved in tackling domestic abuse. The
report published today sets out an approach the government can take to
help support the police and those working throughout the criminal justice
system when dealing with domestic abuse. In some areas the need for better
information sharing between local government and partners is particularly
acute so that the clearest possible picture of risk is available and acted
on to assist police in preventing domestic abuse.
'Combined with the changes in legislation dealing with domestic homicide
announced today, and the awaited Home Office guidance on domestic homicide
reviews announced in the Domestic Violence Crime and Victims Act 2004,
we hope today’s report will mark further progress towards combating
all forms of violence against women.'
