Domestic Abuse Bill - Report (3rd Day) (Continued) – in the House of Lords at 11:00 pm on 15 March 2021.
Baroness Hamwee:
Moved by Baroness Hamwee
87: After Clause 72, insert the following new Clause—“Effective protection and support for all victims of domestic abuse(1) The Secretary of State must take steps to ensure that all victims of domestic abuse, irrespective of their status, receive—(a) equally effective protection against domestic abuse, and(b) equally effective support.(2) In this section—“status” includes a status for the purpose of Article 4(3) of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence and any combined forms of such status;“victims of domestic abuse” includes persons who are reasonably believed to be at risk of domestic abuse.”Member’s explanatory statementThis new Clause ensures all victims of domestic abuse are protected, regardless of their status, in line with Article 4(3) of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention).
Baroness Hamwee
Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Immigration)
I do wish to move it.
Baroness Garden of Frognal
Deputy Chairman of Committees, Deputy Speaker (Lords)
I now call Amendment 87A in the name of the noble Baroness, Lady Benjamin.
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violence occurring within the family
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