This has been a week very much focused on domestic abuse and violence against women and girls, culminating in a conference on Thursday at St Mary's Stadium, alongside Southampton City Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner and Stakeholders from across the City.
We have seen throughout the pandemic a horrific spike in violence against women and against children, with some horrific high profile cases reminding us of the evil people can do to each other and to their own children.
I am looking forward to the launch of the next major piece of work the Women and Equalities Select Committee will be doing on this, which will coincide with the annual celebration of International Womens Day in Parliament. It is also a year on from the appalling kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard, which gives us the opportunity to reflect on how following that horrific crime women across the country have come together to highlight the failings of law enforcement, justice and the prison system. I write this as a dangerous rapist remains at large having absconded from an open prison, and Ministers need to reflect whether the prison estate is serving the population if that can be allowed to happen.
Not a pleasant subject for the week but I am looking forward to Romsey School's production of Beauty and the Beast, which should lighten my mood.
Rt Hon Caroline Nokes MP
Member of Parliament for Romsey and Southampton North
Chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee
Room 4
13 Market Place
Romsey
SO51 8NA
Tel: 01794 521155
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