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Jacqui Smith campaign is a gimmick says women's charity
Martin Bentham09.03.09
Jacqui Smith was embarrassed by a campaigner who accused her today of using "gimmicks" and "spin" as she launched the Government's domestic violence campaign.
Sandra Horley, chief executive of Refuge - a charity to support women and children suffering violence at home - launched her attack on the Home Secretary during the round-table discussion in central London and poured scorn on government plans for a database of serial domestic abusers.
Ms Horley said: "We have had enough talking - we need action. As for the perpetrators' register, it is a gimmick and doesn't address the root problem.
"The majority of violent men don't come to the attention of police and it won't keep women safe. Police can't be expected to monitor relationships and love lives of offenders."
Ms Smith, who was joined by psychologist Linda Papadopoulos and model Danielle Lloyd - herself a victim of violence - tried to interrupt but was shouted down until Solicitor General Vera Baird stepped in to argue the Government's case.
The panel also announced an official government investigation by academics at London University to establish the links between "early sexualisation" of girls and violence.
Ms Smith said she was concerned that by selling inappropriate clothing and products to teenage girls, the wrong attitudes were being instilled in men and violence was the result.
Her concerns coincided with the publication of an opinion poll which showed that nearly one in seven believe it is acceptable for a man to hit his wife or girlfriend if she is dressed provocatively in public.
The survey conducted by Mori last month by telephone found that of the 1,000 interviewed, more than two in five believe that a woman is either partly or fully responsible if she is raped and 10 per cent said that a woman deserved to be hit by her husband or boyfriend if she was flirting with another man.
Ms Smith said she was disturbed by such attitudes and added: "I think there is a concern about some of the ways in which girls might be offered products or made to grow up too early, and whether there is any connection between this early sexualisation of girls and violence against women."
Ms Smith also proposed a range of other potential measures to combat violence including efforts to improve safety at and around railway and bus stations and improved education to alter attitudes among boys and raise girls' awareness of the risks.
Reader views (16)
Spin is the only decision this joker "government" can.
- Georgie, Islington, London
Domestic Violence is the most common kind of violent crime reported to the British Crime Survey and the second most common kind of violent crime reported to Police.
- Alan Griffiths, Forest Gate, LONDON. UK
Incompetence is rife in this government,so she is simply following the party line.
- Ludders, Worcester. England
A gimmick ? . . . a bit like the whole Labour Government, by the sounds of it ! ! !
- Eoin Mcgreeghan, Derry, NI
At the moment Jackie Smith is looking desperately for a campaign that is popular,to ease her unpopularity.Remember it is this lefty lot that has taken its eye off of the real problems over the last ten years.Everything that they have tinkered with they have ruined and failed.Just look at the economy!This Govenment have ordered courts not to lock anyone up in prison because of overcrowding,and dictate to the police service what targets they need to fulfil.I get a sinking feeling in my stomach when I here these spins.Just how qualified is this woman for this job? I pray none of this will fail any person who needs help from abuse,male or female.
- Helen Miller, Woodbridge
I think just like her "boss" Mr. Bean Brown she will not be embarrassed, that is until the Houses of Parliament execute their powers to fire this INCOMPETENT "government".
- Steveo, London
If it takes 'gimmicks and spin' then so be it. God knows the government and everybody else is forced to resort to it.
- Real, London
I would like Smith to concentrate on her job, that is, the protection of our citizens, all of them, and she can do that by ensuring the police get off their backsides and leave innocent citizens alone and prosecute the criminals,she'll know who they are. The ones that laugh at the police.
- Ada Wackett, crawley
The whole problem lies with the state providing esay benefits and encouraging the breakdown of family values and not addressing violent women when out clubbing and pubbing!
- Joe, Swanley Kent
...to Susannah from London - thanks for writing that - men are no longer permitted to make that kind of statement these days.
- David M, Manchester, UK
Women have screwed this country up big time by their inability to choose a suitable mate and bring up their children properly and the consequences of that are returning to bite them.
Don't those three women look as if they mean business?
That's what politicians and 'experts' look like when they are about to screw things up further or do nothing except exercise their mouths.
If they think things are bad now, wait another ten years and I'll be highly surprised if any of them are still living in this country.
- Vera Sylvester, Billericay, England
It's just an excuse to put us all on a database so the government can keep watch on us all.
Just like how the DNA database was originally supposed to be for criminals, then they wanted everyone on it.
The people want a new government, not a database.
- George, London UK
Needs to join up with mad Hat. I agree about quelling domestic violence, but then it is reported that the bulk of the violence is from women. What will you do to square that circle?
- Hugh, Middx
This woman is on a campaign of hate against men. We will now have the police interfering in the most private relationships that we have; and how long will it be before spiteful vindictive women bring false charges against a man and getting him put on yet another "register"? I wish this woman would go to Planet Utopia where she belongs.
- susannah, London UK
Isn't it amazing! If the Governement, educational institutions, the media, advertizers and so forth just espoused Christian attitudes and behaviour we'd be half way there. It is SO OBVIOUS, why the need for "research"?
- Sandyhttp://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23656626-details/My%20novelist%20mother%20was%20insane%20to%20kick%20me%20out%20because%20of%20drugs/article.do?expand=true#StartComments, Ealing, UK
I think the survey Ms. Smith was using, probably reflects attitudes from sub-Saharan states and Asia at a guess. It is normal to stone a woman or burn to death a woman committing adultery.
- darren, london
