B

Baroness Smith of Cluny (Lab)

Speaking in the House of Lords on 21 January 2026

Debate

Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy

Contribution

The noble Baroness raises an important issue. Honour-based abuse is directly addressed in the strategy, as the noble Baroness has observed. It is often hidden in nature. That means we must try harder to address the needs of victims and build trust with them. We have set out clear action within the strategy, which includes continuing to fund the Karma Nirvana national honour-based abuse helpline, and have committed, as the noble Baroness identified, to a statutory definition of honour-based abuse. The strategy, as with all matters contained within it, has a collaborative, adaptive approach, and that is why we will be engaging with stakeholders as we develop that.

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