Cardiff North AM MP Watch

Re your interest in violence against women

can you tell me why you haven't yet signed EDM 1038

END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN CAMPAIGN

You asked in parliament about Violence Against Women (9 Mar 2006)

'Julie Morgan: Does my hon. Friend agree that in such circumstances,

every effort must be made to ensure that the woman stays in the family home and that the perpetrator of the violence is put out?' But you support and condone the anti social behaviour legislation.

The Welsh Labour party is being asked to support this government policy in the Welsh policy forum consultation document Social justice and regeneration. I hope you realise that Lone mothers are not being treated fairly under ASB legislation. Analysis by Judy Nixon and Caroline Hunter shows that in 66% of cases of evictions of women as tenants the cases focused on the behaviour of a violent or disruptive partner or a teenage child (usually male) and that these women were three times more likely to have been subject to sexual or physical abuse. In 66% of cases with women as tenants there had been no visit made before legal action was taken. It is very likely that women who are the victims of domestic violence will be evicted as a result of the behaviour of the abuser.

Does the government not have control over antisocial behaviour policy? I would say that it has absolutely. Will you now respond to the policy paper on social justice currently being consulted on and call for a moratorium on this policy (asb) immediately or rather demand a moratorium?

Do you agree that bullies, which are what perpetrators of violence are, should also be excluded from the workplace when they discovered? I would say that being bullied at work is as much an obstacle to progression at work as equal pay and a contributing factor to women's achieving and being promoted.

You said (Business of the House 9 Mar 2006)

Julie Morgan: (to Jeff Hoon) I know that my right hon. Friend is aware that there will be a debate in Westminster Hall this afternoon on violence against women to mark international women's day. Can we have a debate on the Floor of the House about equal pay-one of the other major issues facing women in this country today-particularly in the civil service because that is something over which the Government have more control?

EDM 1038 that you haven't signed - will you sign this asp?

END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN CAMPAIGN

15.11.2005

Baird, Vera

That this House condemns all forms of violence against women; notes that almost half of women experience domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking in their lifetime and that at least 200 women are forced into marriage and 2000 women are trafficked into the UK for sexual exploitation each year; and therefore supports the End Violence Against Women Campaign's call for an integrated approach to addressing violence against women in all its forms.

Signatures( 221)

Thank you for your 21 February e-mail. I will put down a Written Question on how much has been raised from antisocial behaviour fines and inform you of the answer.

The policy of using ASBOs was never “agreed” as such by the Assembly, as crime and law and order are reserved matters and are decided in Westminster. The South Wales Police use ASBOs as a last resort. The vast majority of cases are resolved after a warning letter – this is not generally the case in the rest of the UK.

Anti-social behaviour legislation says that an application for an ASBO can be made “if it appears … that the person has acted … in an anti-social manner, that is to say, in a manner that caused or was likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one of more persons not of the same household as himself; and … that such an order is necessary to protect persons from further anti-social acts by him”. The point about necessity appears to make sure that other avenues of action are taken before an ASBO is applied for.

I hope that this is useful. I will get back to you with the answer to the Written Question.

Yours sincerely

Julie Morgan MP

27th Feb
Thank you for your e-mail to Julie Morgan MP, which will receive attention.

Rob Newman Research Assistant to Julie Morgan MP
17 Plasnewydd, Whitchurch, Cardiff CF14 1NR
' (029) 20 623686 3 07769 934008 ; robnewman.typepad.com

"A belief in society. Working together. Solidarity. Co-operation. Partnership. These are our words. This is my socialism." — Tony Blair

Rob is 'special' says Julie. Mrs Robiinson?

Dear Julie Morgan

We are hoping to discuss policy documents at our next meeting. I would like to clarify some points.

The Wales labour party policy document asked 'How should your local authority use the resources from fines for antisocial behaviour to improve the local environment?'

Please can you tell me how much was raised from such fines in Wales last year or any year since the policy was introduced?

Can you also tell me when this policy towards antisocial behaviour was debated and the policy of using anti social behaviour orders debated and agreed by the welsh assembly.

This is not a made in wales policy. How does the welsh assembly and or yourself define antisocial behaviour? What evidence/evaluation has there been or undertaken for your definition of antisocial behaviour. Where are the statistics to show the extent of the problem in Wales by your definition?

Which organisations that represent children and childrens/human rights support your use of asbos?