Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to consider introducing legislation in England and Wales similar to India’s Dowry Prohibition Act 1961 so as to prohibit the giving or taking of a dowry, and India’s Domestic Violence Act 2005 so as to treat demanding a dowry as domestic violence.

The Government is clear that domestic violence and abuse does not just mean physical violence. It can also involve coercive and controlling behaviour, including dowry abuse and other forms of financial abuse. The cross-Government definition of domestic violence and abuse encompasses, but is not limited to, psychological, physical, sexual, financial and emotional abuse. This definition is used by Government departments to inform policy development, and other agencies, such as the police, to inform the identification of domestic violence cases.

We have recently consulted on strengthening the law around domestic violence and abuse and are considering our response. Our consideration will include whether there should be a specific offence of domestic abuse and if so, what patterns of behaviour should constitute such abuse.