Select Committee · Women and Equalities Committee
Sessions on: Changing cultures underpinning male violence against women
Status: Closed
Opened: 18 Mar 2021
Closed: 1 May 2024
Inquiry scope
Women and Equalities Committee to look at cultures underpinning male violence against women The Women and Equalities Committee has today announced that it will look at government action to change cultures underpinning male violence against women. The Committee met with the Minister for Safeguarding, Victoria Atkins MP, in January to discuss the forthcoming strategies on Violence Against Women and Girls and Domestic Abuse, and is today publishing correspondence from the Minister following that meeting. The issues discussed in the session and the letter cut across several policy areas: sexual and racialised harassment on public transport and in public places; harmful media images that normalise sexual and other violence; teaching children about respectful relationships and gender equality; women’s safety in the workplace; and funding for specialist domestic and sexual abuse support services including support for Black and minority women. The Minister’s letter does not provide information about what mechanisms are in place to ensure Government action to prevent violence against women and girls or to ensure cross-departmental working on this issue. This is despite the UK’s commitment through the Sustainable Development Goals to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls by 2030. The Committee will look at: what the Government is doing to measure progress on changing attitudes and cultures that underpin or normalise male violence. why public prevention campaigns, including This Is Abuse/ Disrespect Nobody , are much less prominent than public health and road safety campaigns? how is the Government taking action following its own research on engaging men and boys in gender equality and the relationship between pornography use and harmful sexual behaviours? Committee Chair Caroline Nokes MP said: “This is a distressing time for everyone – both women and men – who believe that women and girls have the right to live their lives in freedom and without the threat or reality of violence. “The Government has made long-standing commitments to take all measures to eliminate violence against women and girls and we will be asking how they are doing this. “Our session will focus on how to change cultures and attitudes that underpin male violence.” Notes: The Women and Equalities Committee’s predecessor committee published a series of reports on sexual harassment and recommendations to the Government on prevention. If you are affected by these issues, you may wish to contact a support service such as the National Domestic Abuse Helpline , Rape Crisis , or the Respect Perpetrators helpline’Oral evidence sessions
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| Date | Session and witnesses | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 28 Apr 2021 | Dr Helen Mott, Dr Purna Sen · UN Women and lead on sexual harassment, Dr Stephen Burrell · GEO research on 'Engaging with Men and Boys About Gender Norms', John Carr · Association of Transport Coordinating Officers | View ↗ |
Who gave evidence
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| Witness | Organisation | Sessions |
|---|---|---|
| Dr Helen Mott | — | 1 |
| Dr Purna Sen · Former Executive Director | UN Women and lead on sexual harassment | 1 |
| Dr Stephen Burrell · Co-author | GEO research on 'Engaging with Men and Boys About Gender Norms' | 1 |
| John Carr · Board Member | Association of Transport Coordinating Officers | 1 |
Correspondence
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