Ending domestic violence - Thangam Debbonaire

This government is alarmed by loud protests, but not violence against women

Last year in July, as so many of you asked for, I voted against the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts (PCSC) Bill during its early progress through Parliament. The Bill is still with us, going between the Commons and Lords with amendments passed by Labour Lords and others then removed…

My highlights from 2021

I know it’s been a tough year for everyone – and I’m always going to do my best to help, campaign, and be a voice in parliament for all of you, in good times and bad. To update you on what I’m doing as your MP, here is my round-up…

Violence against women: My letter to Avon & Somerset Police

The murder of Sarah Everard is causing deep concern for many of my constituents, many of whom are already fearful for their safety.I am particularly concerned that the killer was a serving police officer – and that warning signs were missed. This must never happen again. I’ve written to Avon…

Violence against women thrives in a culture of everyday misogyny

After several horrific murders in the last year, our attention is once again turning to male violence against women. Many of us are asking why we have this problem, and how we stop it. My work with violent men before I became an MP showed me just how rooted abusers…

Men can be allies in the campaign against attacks on women

First of all, Sarah Everard’s family and friends must be in all our thoughts at this time. It’s been a terrible week, with the worst of all news for them. My heart goes out to them and I’m keeping them in my mind. In this moment, I want to turn…

Domestic volence during the coronavirus crisis

The measures we take to prevent the spread of Coronavirus do not only save lives by preventing people from contracting the virus. They also prevent stringent lockdown measures from being put in place. For victims of domestic abuse, being trapped at home may be a matter of life and death.…

Ending violence against women

On 25 November it was the UN International Day to #EndViolenceAgainstWomen as per UN resolution 54/134. I marked it through writing a Twitter thread throughout the course of the day. My thoughts are from my work I’ve done recently, and from 26 years of working on domestic violence. This is…

The Domestic Abuse Bill – my speech in the second reading debate

The second reading debate of the Domestic Abuse Bill was a good example of Parliament at its best. We spent most of Wednesday 2 October on this, working collaboratively and cross-party on a much-needed piece of legislation which has widespread support and from which a great deal of good will…

My reaction to the Domestic Abuse Bill

Ending domestic abuse has been my focus for my entire professional life – both while I have been an MP and for 25 years beforehand. I want to make sure the new Prime Minister gives the Domestic Abuse Bill the parliamentary time it needs as soon as possible. Though it…

Relationships and sex education must be for everyone – without exception

Yesterday in Parliament, the government finally took a step towards something I have been demanding for my entire political and professional career: updated, inclusive and compulsory education on sex and relationships (RSE). For 25 years before I became an MP, I worked with victims and perpetrators of domestic violence. I…

Internet laws must be extended to prevent sickening ‘Rape Day’ type games

I was horrified to learn about the disgusting computer game ‘Rape Day,’ which allows players to murder and rape female characters. I raised this in the House of Commons this morning – while the Secretary of State speaks about new legislation to tackle abusive content on social media, games like…