Labor vows to tackle violence against women, accusing government of ‘failing’ victims | Political news

The Labor released proposals to tackle violence against women and girls, saying ministers were not protecting victims.

The party accused the government of “treating victims of violence as an afterthought” because Boris Johnson’s administration has yet to release its own strategy in response to the wave of allegations that have emerged as a result. of the MeToo movement and the murder of Sarah Everard earlier this year.

Last week, the government laid out its legislative program in the Queen’s Speech, promising “proposals would be brought forward” but did not elaborate on details.

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Now the Labor Party has drafted a policy document outlining how it would toughen the sentences for rape, stalking and domestic murder, and revise all sentences for domestic violence.

Other proposals include:

• Lifetime rates for those who rape, kidnap and murder a stranger

• Prohibit street harassment

• Make misogyny a hate crime

• Prohibit sex for hire

Shadow Justice Secretary David Lammy said seven in ten women say government efforts to make the UK safer for women are lacking.

He added: “Conservatives fail to protect women and girls from violent criminals, which should be one of the first jobs of any government.

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“With record conviction rates for perpetrators of sexual violence and an epidemic of misogyny that makes women and girls feel unsafe, this government is treating victims of violence after the fact.”

The proposals also include the introduction of …