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Monday 25 August 2014

Ed Miliband appoints first Shadow Minister for Preventing Violence Against Women and Girls

Feltham & Heston MP Seema Malhotra is joining the Shadow Home Affairs team as Shadow Minister for Preventing Violence Against Women and Girls. Labour say Ms Malhotra will champion the needs of all victims of rape, domestic and sexual violence, as well as FGM, forced marriage, trafficking and prostitution. Ms Malhotra will also play an important role in shaping Labour’s Women’s Safety Commission, working with Vera Baird and Diana Holland, to develop proposals for legislation to tackle violence against women and girls, which will be prioritised by a Labour Government. This will include:
  • Reforms to the criminal justice system
  • Measures to improve women’s safety
  • Prevention of violence against women and girls
Ms Malhotra is joining the Shadow Home Affairs team after Helen Jones MP stepped down from her position as Shadow Crime Prevention Minister at the end of July. She will be the first Shadow Minister for Preventing Violence Against Women and Girls indicating the priority that Ed Miliband and Yvette Cooper have given to the issue. Steve Reed will continue as Shadow Crime Prevention Minister, Diana Johnson as Shadow Minister for Crime and Security, Jack Dromey as Shadow Policing Minister and David Hanson as Shadow Immigration Minister.

Seema Malhotra MP, in response to her appointment, said: "I feel very proud to have been appointed as the Labour Party’s first ever Shadow Minister for Preventing Violence Against Women and Girls. It is significant that Labour has made this issue such a priority and I look forward to working with colleagues to try and make a real difference to women who have experienced huge trauma in their lives. The level of violence against women in Britain and indeed the world is shocking and too little is being done to prevent these crimes, support the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice. I will be looking to change this and look forward to working with Ed and Yvette to make sure a Labour Government offers a real alternative to women and children trapped in cycles of violence."

Labour leader Ed Miliband commented: "I am delighted that Seema has agreed to become Labour’s first ever Shadow Minister for Preventing Violence against Women and Girls. She undoubtedly brings real expertise to this important role. Her appointment is another indication of the importance a Labour government will place on tackling violence against women and girls. Yvette has rightly put this at the heart of her vision for the Home Office and I look forward to continuing working with her and Seema to ensure a Labour government can make a real difference to the lives of the victims of these terrible crimes."

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, commenting on the appointed, said: "Seema will be a huge asset to the Shadow Home Affairs team. She has always been a champion of women’s equality – from her campaigns promoting the work of women in business, to her hugely successful Presidency of the Fabian’s Women’s Network, which has done so much to improve representation of women and ethnic minorities in politics and public life. I know she will bring all her experience and energy to lead our important work developing a strong policy platform to tackle violence against women and girls."