Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to help ensure that parents safeguard their children from the risks associated with drinking alcohol and violence against women and girls.

We recognise the devastating effects that VAWG crimes can have on children and young people and that home is not a safe place for all. We are absolutely clear that alcohol is no excuse for domestic abuse, violence or any other kind of abusive behaviour.

In the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 we recognised that children are victims of domestic abuse in their own right where they see, hear or experience its effects and are related to the victim or perpetrator. The Act also appointed a Domestic Abuse Commissioner, one of whose functions is to encourage good practice in the provision of protection and support for children affected by domestic abuse.

To directly support children experiencing domestic abuse this year we are providing over £3 million to services across the country providing a range of therapeutic and early intervention support to children.