Peers back law to tackle abuse against women

PROPOSALS to tackle violence against women moved a step closer to becoming law after peers gave their unanimous support.

SNP-sponsored legislation aimed at forcing the Government to ratify the Istanbul Convention, which places legal obligations on the state to tackle sexual violence and domestic abuse, received an unopposed second reading.

The Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (Ratification of Convention) Bill will undergo further scrutiny in the House of Lords at a later stage.

It remains on track following previous attempts to disrupt its progress in the Commons by Tory MP Philip Davies, who claimed the convention has not made a “blind bit of difference” in other countries and labelled the bill “sexist”.

Lord Brown of Eaton-under-Heywood said the measures would advance the cause of all victims of violence rather than disadvantaging men and boys.

The independent crossbencher said action must be taken to halt the “appalling prevalence” of violence against women and it would be “nothing short of disgraceful” to hinder the legislation.

Lord Brown said: “Anything that raises the stakes, raises the public’s awareness of and revulsion at violence generally, will resound to the advantage of all victims.”