Pauline Latham OBE MP has pledged to support a forthcoming Private Member’s Bill (PMB) which would require the UK Government to legally commit to providing a better framework for addressing violence against women and girls, by making the Istanbul Convention law in the UK - if successful. This legislation requires the UK to take measures to prevent violence against women, protect women experiencing violence, and prosecute perpetrators.
This Bill has cross party support and if it becomes law would see the UK take a proud commitment to ending gender based violence and taking the next steps in securing a safe future for women and girls. This legislation is needed because on average, two women in England and Wales are killed every week by a current or former male partner.
Mrs Latham said: “I wholeheartedly support this worthwhile campaign to combat the sickening violence which occurs against women and girls in the UK. The Istanbul Convention will make tangible steps to help address such violence and I urge other MPs from across all parties to support the Bill”.
Jenn Selby, a campaigner and survivor says: “When I think of all the brave women I've met on my way through the system, I wonder how many of them made it. The current legal framework did more to see our perpetrators walk free than to keep us alive. This convention would end this”.