Protections in the justice system for women and girls
Online and technology-facilitated harm: further steps that could be considered
Context to issue being raised
Significant work is already being progressed to better understand the extent to which the existing legal framework is able to respond to the changing nature of criminal activity online, recognising that legislation alone will not deliver the cultural and societal changes needed to tackle the root causes of violence against women and girls.
This is happening at a domestic, UK and international level. As such, some of the areas explored within this consultation should be considered in the context of a broader spectrum of policy work and not in isolation from the strategic aims of the Equally Safe strategy.
You can read more about the Equally Safe strategy below.
Our view
We recognise that laws alone cannot address wider issues in society that contribute to violence against women and girls.
We would like to hear any views you have about on further non-legislative steps to reduce online harm.
Equally Safe strategy
Equally Safe, our country’s strategy for preventing and eradicating violence against women and girls, was refreshed in 2023. The aim of the strategy is to foster collaborative working between key partners to achieve this vision. The strategy recognises that a collaborative approach is vital; violence against women and girls is everyone’s concern, and all sectors of society have a role to play in tackling it.
As a result, the Equally Safe delivery plan reflects a commitment to act from partners across the public and third sectors at a local and national level. Through these deliverables all partners commit to maintaining our momentum in addressing violence against women and girls, and realising our ambitions under the Strategy.
The Equally Safe strategy focuses on violence and abusive behaviour carried out predominately by men and directed at women and girls precisely because of their gender. Equally Safe places emphasis on challenging gender inequality and norms, and the underpinning attitudes that perpetuate and condone such violence. Under the auspices of Equally Safe, we have strengthened the law in relation to violence against women and girls and we have taken forward a great deal of work to ensure those working in the public sector are equipped with the resource and knowledge to confidently and sensitively work with those affected by violence against women and girls.