Home Affairs Select Committee Enquiry on Domestic Violence, Forced Marriage and "honour- based" violence
Created On:
22 Jan 2008
Date Updated:
22 Jan 2008
Press Release
Home Affairs Select Committee Enquiry on Domestic Violence, Forced
Marriage and "honour- based" violence
Forced Marriage is an abomination. Honour-based violence is barbaric.
Both are unlawful and morally reprehensible. Every year the government's
Forced Marriage Unit deals with 250-300. Since many cases are not
reported, this represents the tip of the iceberg.
As a response to the longstanding national concerns over these issues,
Parliament's Home Affairs Committee is undertaking an eConsultation into
domestic abuse, forced marriage, and "honour-based" violence.
The e-Consultation will run from 21 January to 29 February 2008.
This is a unique opportunity for victims, witnesses and support services
to tell the MPs from all parties on the Home Affairs Select Committee
about their experiences. At the end of this consultation process the
Select Committee will produce a report with recommendations to the
Government, with the potential to improve the lives of victims of
domestic abuse, including forced marriage. People can get involved
immediately by using their networks to tell as many relevant people as
possible about this eConsultation. They can request their local council,
councillors, GPs, churches, mosques, temples and gurdwaras to publicise
this important initiative of the Select Committee. The consultation is
anonymous and the victims, witnesses or supporters will not be asked for
personal information by which they could be identified. It is easy to
take part by just using a computer with internet access. If any problem
is encountered, or for further information about how to get involved,
one can seek advice via eQuality Networks' helpline -
01582 415835 or
via their website at
www.equalitynetworks.org.uk. This press release is intended to raise people's awareness about the
e-consultation which starts from 21 January 2008 on
http://forums.parliament.uk/dvec Dr Khanum OBE, specialist Adviser to
the Home Affairs Committee on forced marriage and "honour-based"
violence for this eConsultation is supported by eQuality Networks to
raise awareness of this consultation. She is urging people to come
forward and take full advantage of this opportunity.
Margaret Moran MP for Luton South, a member of the Select Committee said
- "This is a valuable opportunity for all sufferers and their supporters
potentially to influence future policies and services at national and
local levels. Don't miss it!"