Ministers shelve pledge on women’s safety

The government has been accused of failing women who have been subjected to sexual, psychological and violent abuse after it emerged that a clutch of new laws and codes to protect them have been shelved.

Among the proposed measures were laws to stop rape victims from being cross-examined in court about their previous sexual history, and tougher action on domestic violence. Both have now been sidelined.

“While the government dithers and makes excuses, women are being abused by repeat offenders who should be on a register, victims are being cross-examined in court by their own stalkers, and rape victims are facing the torment of their own sexual history being used as evidence against their credibility,” said Liz Saville Roberts, a Plaid Cymru MP and the party’s justice spokesperson. “The government needs to remember its priorities and bring forward its delayed legislation as a matter of urgency.”

In January 2017 the home secretary, Amber Rudd, pledged that the government would hold a 12-month consultation on a victims’ bill of rights. The initiative, giving victims new legal rights, including the right to be consulted on the conditions of their assailant’s release, was a Conservative manifesto commitment last year. But 13 months later, the consultation has not even begun.

Lady Brinton, president of the Liberal Democrats, said that since Rudd made the promise the strategy had been subject to repeated delays. “They are not serious about doing this,” Brinton said.

Source: theguardian