Everywoman Safe Everywhere
We know that women are already being hit hard economically by
the Government's policies. Independent research has shown women are
paying more than twice as much as men in tax and benefit changes -
not least because of the scale of cuts to family support.
But there is growing evidence that women's sense of safety and
security is also being threatened.
From restricting the use of the DNA database, removing the
profiles on 17,000 rape suspects and trying to introduce anonymity
for rape defendants, to the local commissioning reforms that have
weakened support for women survivors, a wide range of concerns have
been raised by both women and the women's sector in recent
months.
Labour has therefore launched a Consultation on Women's Safety,
which will take evidence on the impact of the Government's
decisions on women's safety and consider how to protect and
enhance women's personal safety. In the context of the
current financial pressures, it will also consider proposals for a
new Personal Safety Bill to tackle violence against women.
The Consultation will be chaired by Vera Baird QC, who will be
supported by Kate Green MP (Shadow Minister for Equalities) and
Stella Creasy MP (Shadow Home Office Minister) and will report its
findings to the Labour Party's policy making process.
For further information and to access the consultation and
accompanying documents click
here
