Violence against Women

HC Deb 15 December 1997 vol 303 cc40-1W

Mr. Beggs

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what EU initiatives she proposes relating to violence against women. [19911]

Mr. Worthington

I am aware that the European Women's Lobby is proposing to hold a conference for non-governmental organisations on domestic violence during the UK Presidency of the European Union. I welcome this and will try to support it in whatever way I can. In my view, Northern Ireland would be an ideal location for such an event. The Northern Ireland Regional Forum on Domestic Violence and the more recent local networks provide a good model for effective inter-agency working in this field. We are bringing forward new legislation to strengthen and extend the law in Northern Ireland to protect women from domestic violence.