Thread by @garius

This is honestly one of the most powerful debates (not that there's much debate) I've heard in Parliament for years.

Honestly, if you have a second monitor or time to watch, just put it on.

https://twitter.com/garius/status/1179388545091457026

Theresa May describing a case she encountered where the victim had LITERALLY been locked in a cupboard to try and prevent her from getting to court to testify.

"A child who has been in a house where they have witnessed domestic abuse is 50% more likely to endure that abuse in a relationship later in their lives.

Domestic abuse doesn't just destroy the life of the victim, but those around them too." - Theresa May

"Police forces need to look at how they deal with domestic violence WITHIN the force, when it involves their own officers."

"And if they turn a blind eye, then that gives a message to their officers as to how they should treat people outside the force reporting abuse." - TM

"Forces need the ability to support those officers." - Theresa May.

"No member should have to receive the abuse she has received." - Angela Crawley on the horrific pro-life campaign being aimed at Stella Creasy right now.

Almost 1/4 women have experienced or reported domestic abuse at some point in their lives. Yet we don't know the true figure.

Angela Crawley points out the damning stats about domestic abuse in the UK.

Crawley points out the problems when a woman has a visa status linked to that of their partner.

Points out that this bill doesn't do enough for that, and violates our human rights commitments.

"Women are stuck between becoming destitute, or homeless or returning their abuser... we MUST do better." - Angela Crawley on the problems of economic and immigration-status-related abuse.

"We have so much further to go. Let's not get another 25 years down the line and still be having this conversation." - Angela Crawley.

"The old line of 'oh it's just a domestic' is gone. But it took far too long." - Karen Bradley, on policing and domestic abuse.

"If someone has gone to the police to report domestic violence they are NOT making it up. It has taken enormous strength of character to get to the point that they are reporting it.

What they need to hear is a police officer say: 'I believe you'" - Karen Bradley.

"We cannot arrest our way out of this problem. We have to deal with it through education, through prevention and so many other measures." - Karen Bradley.

Points out the importance of recognising domestic violence in A&E departments.

Liam Fox points out the importance of picking up physical violence in the hospital, but also the signs of psychological violence in General Practice, early.

Bradley agrees.

"There is no such thing as 'low-level' abuse."

Talks about victims of coercive behavior, and an encounter with a constituent who remembered sympathetic police saying:

"The best we can hope for is that he comes home tonight and kicks the door down, because then we can arrest him for criminal damage."

Not gonna transcribe. This speech from Rosie Duffield MP on her personal experience of domestic violence and sexual abuse is incredible, horrible and brave.

It is difficult to watch (it made me cry), but if you can do, just do. This Bill is so important. parliamentlive.tv/event/index/5f…

Fuck me I'm glad I've got a box of tissues on my desk. Sorry for not quoting bits. When there's a transcript you can be damn sure I'll be pushing it on twitter far and wide.

Sarah Newton now talking about the importance of this bill to older people too, who are subject to economic abuse from both inside and outside the family.

Harriet Harman starts by thanking Rosie Duffield.

"What she said today will save lives."

At the end of her emotional speech, Rosie made it clear that anyone needing help should know that people like her will listen.

She's right. And it's set me off of again.

"I killed her as I loved her, and she was having an affair."

Harriet Harman pointing out the horrors that used to referred to, at the bar, as the "Nagging and Shagging" defence to reduce murder to manslaughter. Only ended in 2009.

Points out that there is a dangerous rising trend in men uses the "rough sex" defence, which of course can't be challenged by the victim.

"He's killed her, and he gets to define her. She's dead, but he gets to tell the story."

Maria Miller points out there it's important to make sure that there is a full briefing on this Bill and amendments, to make sure nothing is lost before it passes.

Points out though that she feels it mustn't be seen as a bucket for EVERYTHING given the dangers of this Bill not passing in a fragile parliament.

It's a valid point, but making sure this opportunity isn't missed for lots of things is a delicate balance.

Talks now about the tricky decision that they had to make about leaving the lower age limit as 16 and that more legislation is needed to help protect people under that age.

"We like commissioners, we're not good at making them independent." Points out the need to do that here.

Yvette Cooper points out the need to do more and be vigilant to make convictions happen and stick, particularly now social media is such a part of this.

Points out the need to address serial abuse over multiple partners.

"The onus is still on potential victims to raise their concerns, rather than there being a responsibility on agencies to manage that risk... and that action is taken before it is too late."

Normally at this point in threads I talk about buying me a coffee. Don't. If this is a useful thread then please donate to a charity of your choice that helps victims of abuse.

My personal suggestion is refuge, if you want one:

refuge.org.uk/donate/

Caroline Nokes returns to the subject of immigration status and other things, and stresses that our approach must ALWAYS be to treat victims of domestic violence "as victims FIRST."

Something people don't think about - the need to include the DCMS in this stuff. Because violence spikes after sports events.

"immigration status CANNOT be used as a weapon." - Caroline Nokes.

Thangam Debbonaire up, who worked A LOT in this area before Parliament.

"One of the things that broke my heart, was women who'd say to me 'what can I do to fix him?'"

Points out genuine work is needed to look at sorting out support for abusers through an accreditation system so that when there ARE perpetrator programmes that try to do so, they comply with the highest standards and don't leave victims vulnerable still.

"There are people who will not benefit and will still be violent."

Wants that system to ideally be part of this Bill.

Mark Garnier talking about the tragic case of Natalie Connolly, who fell victim to what Harriet Harmon talked about earlier, who used the 'rough sex' defence.

"The injuries she suffered were extraordinary extensive and unbelievably brutal."

But because she bled into a carpet, it was impossible to prove when/what she died, and the charge was reduced to manslaughter.

Garnier:

"I sat with a family, whose memories of her should be, as a child, of buying her snow white costume."

Talks about them having to weigh up agreeing to change the charges to get some kind of conviction.

"It CANNOT be a defence that someone is 'asking for it' if that someone dies... that reputation is being destroyed in front of the people they love." - Garnier.

Demands a law change as well to make sure the victim's FAMILY don't be the people who have to decide on reducing the charges.

"Natalie Connolly would be 28 now, with her young daughter growing up in this warm family. And she is no longer with us... if there is any way that we can remember her, we have to do something to make sure that this can never happen to anyone again." Mark Garnier.

Jenny Chapman emphasises again the need to make sure that no-one slips through the gaps because of the lower age limit. Not necessarily by removing it, but by properly investigating it.

"Half of young people are reporting emotional abuse. A fifth are reporting emotional abuse. A third of girls have reported sexual violence... being forced into sexting is the most common for of abuse for girls." - Jenny Chapman

Phil Davies points out that we shouldn't make this a gendered thing.

Before you scream, there's a valid point buried there. But as Thangam Debonnaire pointed out, it is possible to accept that AND recognise the need to reflect the needs of women.

To editorialise. Because Twitter. Davies is 'not all menning' right now which we have to accept is very easy to do when you're of the gender that isn't statistically the massively overwhelming victim of this.

It doesn't have to be either or, but that doesn't require degendering.

"This bill could go even further to protect survivors. Children who witness abuse have not been included in the definition of victims of abuse." Wera Hobhouse wants the Bill to go further and recognise this, something Theresa May touched on earlier.

"It is time for this government to step up not just with warm words, but meaningful action." - Wera Hobhouse.

Paul Scully wants more awareness in the Family Courts about the need to be aware of, and trained to deal with personality traits like narcissism that help 'reasonable' looking men get away with repeat offences.

"When people escaping, fleeing from an abusive relationship have to ask for emergency housing, they have to keep telling their story at every level."

"There is nothing worse than having to rehash your story time, and time, again." - Paul Scully.

Peter Kyle talks about a constituency victim describing having to face her perpetrator in Family Court time and time again because he kept summoning and cross-examining her.

"On the third occasion she had to ask the taxi driver to stop so that she could vomit in the gutter."

"She told me that if she was summoned a fourth time she would capitulate and give him whatever she wanted.

She was broken. Not just broken by the criminal that raped and abused her, but the system that allowed her to be cross examined and the abuse continued." - Peter Kyle

He highlights that it is THREE YEARS since the government said it would address this. He's visibly angry.

"Today in court, there is someone, somewhere being let down in the system" He quotes LS Mumby.

Tim Loughton re-emphasises the point about better need to recognise children and elders.

Loughton points out that properly addressing domestic abuse - through funding refuges and social care - are self funding. They pay for themselves in the longterm and it is a false economy not to see them that way.

Refreshing to here that from the Conservative bench.

Angela Smith tearily reads an account from Claire Throssell, present in the gallery, of the death of her boys at the hands of their father, a serial abuser, who burned them to death.

It heartrending. Watch if you can. Crying again. parliamentlive.tv/event/index/5f…

"The presumption of access by an abusive parent has got to end." Jess Philips says. Angela Smith agrees.

"Claire's children died after their father won the right to unsupervised contact. The domestic abuse she had suffered from Darren Sykes was not taken seriously by any agency or the courts themselves." - Angela Smith.

We need Family Court reform so much.

Ben Bradley highlights again the need to address the economic element, particularly with older couples were the concept of the woman being paid an "allowance" can still often exist.

Naz Shah describes her own mother's desperation at being abused.

"27 years ago there was such a woman who killed her partner... and went to prison for fourteen years. That woman was my mum."

She breaks down. Jess Philips intervenes to give her a moment to recover.

I'm gone again.

Naz Shah is giving powerful testimony about how her mother, imprisoned for 14 years, was failed because of the lack of support and understanding in domestic abuse cases for BAME issues.

This is beyond powerful. Begins here. parliamentlive.tv/event/index/5f…

"My mother served extra time in prison because she couldn't speak up, because of the impact of 'honour', because it is a code of conduct in my community in which we behave."

Reflects on her own suicidal thoughts because of how honour abuse was used against her in her campaign

I did not know that. That's fucking BEYOND disgusting.

"When we talk about men who kill women because of honour... because they have been shamed, I want this house to recognise it for the severity that it means."

"Even today, I did not recognise my own forced marriage until my 30s. I didn't recognise that I was involved in marital rape until my 40s. That is what domestic violence is."

Naz Shah is a fucking hero for standing up for BAME dv issues here. Watch here: parliamentlive.tv/event/index/5f…

Diana Johnson talks about the need to recognise control of fertility as an element of domestic abuse.

Stresses the need to protect women from Section 58 of Offences Against the Person act which can criminalise those seeking abortion in dv circumstances.

Luke Graham wants the front bench to make sure that the UK commissioner is UK-wide to ensure consistency, and the need to include extra-territorial powers.

The thought that we almost didn't get this second reading is making me legitimately angry.

Luke Graham now on refuges.

"Refuges are a precious national asset and we have to think of them that way. They literally make the difference between life and death for an individual."

accidentally broke thread. continues here:

https://twitter.com/garius/status/1179433849459220480

"Last week we saw the house at its worse. Today we have seen it at its best." Fiona Bruce.

Too fucking right. This has been extraordinary. I've never seen anything like it.

Tracy Brabin emphasises the need to give the Banks power to act on economic abuse.

James Cartlidge wants coverage added for the relationship between therapist and client.

Talks about a constituent whose daughter fell victim to false memory placement of being abused by her own mother.

Accepts this is pushing the bounds of domestic abuse but clearly sees this as an opportunity to get it recognised.

Jo Platt talks about how Victims are often expected to change more than perpetrators.

Huw Merriman emphasises that he too thinks we should avoid overloading this Bill due to the risk of it not getting through the process fully.

Jess Phillips pays a tribute to those who've contributed such moving and personal testimony.

"I notice that while we have been in this debate... there is a view that Parliament will prorogue again.

I want some assurances from the Minister that..."

Minister interrupts. Motion of carry over is in today's order paper.

FUCK. YES.

There is some fucking good in the world!

"It must, in the next stages, aim to be for ALL victims." Says Phillips.

"It doesn't matter what your status. If the member of Canterbury has taught us anything today it is that."

"What has HAPPENED to you should be the first thing people see."

Stresses the need to make sure help is available to EVERYONE - rich, poor, immigrant, not, disabled, everyone.

Points out that cash was promised in the spending review. Hasn't come.

Vicky Ford talks about speaking to Barrister who had done Family law for decades, who said this bill is important because it sends a message:

"Domestic abuse is not acceptable. That society stands behind the victim and we will NOT tolerate giving a hiding place to perpetrators."

She points out that fear leaves people in silence. And breaking that fear is a critical part of this Bill.

Wants more clarity on how family members can report potential abuse of their siblings and relatives.

Also the problem of tenancy agreements that trap a victim in a contract with their abuser, because they require BOTH parties to agree to terminate.

Jesus. I hadn't even thought about that.

I'm now officially late for a wonderful launch event. But I can't stop watching this.

Debbie Abrahams points out the need to tackle equality issues around this Bill as well.

"It is a sad indictment of our society that we need a Bill like this. Leaders have an important role in setting the tone for our society and we need to acknowledge this."

Talks about the difficulty of benefits migration when a victim finally manages to break with an abuser.

"Disabled women are TWICE as likely to experience domestic abuse as non-disabled women." - Debbie Abrahams

"I learnt very quickly never to make assumptions about who are the victims of domestic abuse." Sarah Wollaston talks about her time as a medical examiner, and how it can happen to ANYONE.

Highlights we need to talk about the link to alcohol, particularly for the most violent forms of abuse.

Wants to know how we'll take an evidence-based approach to alcohol's role.

Liz McInnes talks about lowering the age limit to 13, which she acknowledges is complex because of the difficulty of it overlapping with child abuse legislation.

It's a complex issue.

Highlights the issue of teenage girls experiencing relationship abuse.

"Having a boyfriend should not be seen as an acceptable right of teenage passage."

Ruth George points out the problems of universal credit being used as a tool of abuse, because only 60% go to the main carer.

Jesus. Talks about a woman in her constituency being threatened with sacking because her former partner and abuser came to the shop and assaulted her.

Was told "it doesn't fit with the image of our shop."

Final speaker, Catherine West.

Talks again about the need to sharpen up the provision on spousal visa arrangements.

"We can have the best legislation in the world, but if we can't enforce and we can't prevent, then what's the point?" - Catherine's final point.

Nick Thomas-Symonds sums up for Labour as more MPs begin to filter in.

Wants position of trust added, the gendered nature, and impact on children.

Emphasises the issue of cross-examination in the Family Courts.

Urges the government to go away and look at the visa issue too.

"I would urge the government to have an open mind in the committee stage... but if the government is willing to be constructive, we can together make it a much better Bill."

Victoria Atkins now responding on behalf of the government.

Highlights the agony that Natalie Connelly's family went through.

"It cannot help but horrify."

"I challenge anyone to not be incredibly moved by Claire's story, and not be haunted by her story. I salute her."

Credits Naz Shah for her incredibly testimony.

"People should be under NO illusion that we consider [BAME issues] part of domestic abuse."

Victoria Atkins credits Duffield, and describes not realising at first she was talking about herself.

"She has done more for the cause for furthering the cause of victims of domestic abuse today than anyone for a long time. I thank her sincerely for her contribution."

"This is a Bill that is owned by the ENTIRE House."

"This Bill is not yet in the place it should be. It has to be perfected through scrutiny." She ticks off the issues raised by Thomas-Symonds.

"Women... people must be looked at as victims first and foremost. We have not got that right yet for migrant women... bear with us." - Victoria Atkins speaking for the government.

Realises she needs to sit down before 7 before it fails! Rushes through final points quickly. 😂😂

Speaker calls for the motion to be moved.

Everyone says Aye.

Not a single nay.

Fucking A.

Carry over motion for this Bill. Moved.

Again, not a single nay.

The speaker:

"The Ayes have it!"

And we're done. That was one of the most incredible debates I have witnessed. So eye opening.

I hope you have found this useful. I didn't intend to live tweet the whole thing, but there was no way I couldn't.

It was the absolute least I could do to support Duffield, Shah and everyone who were so brave today.

I am in genuine awe of them.

Been thinking of how to sum up this debate today, and all I can do is quote Wilberforce on slavery:

"You may choose to look the other way, but you can never say again that you did not know"

This debate does/did that for domestic violence for me.

Whatever I thought I knew going into it, was a mere fraction of what I SHOULD have known and what we should all know.

I hope you've found these tweets useful, but if you have then I ask a couple of favours

1) Share Duffield's speech far and wide. It is here. It is beyond powerful and she deserves to be heard. I am in awe of her.

https://twitter.com/garius/status/1179402662606970886

2) Don't buy me a coffee, as I'd normally ask. Donate to the people who help women in this situation. However small that donation is.

Two names that kept coming up below. Refuge and Women's Aid. Working together we can stop this womensaid.org.uk/childfirst/

refuge.org.uk

And that's me out.

I am a broken man, but a more aware one now, and prouder of my Parliament than I have been for a while.

But FUCK ME do I now need a drink.

/ends