Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bates on 18 November (HL2550), whether their definition of domestic violence and abuse includes demanding a dowry.

The Government’s definition of domestic violence and abuse does not explicitly include demanding a dowry. As set out in Written Answer (HL2550), the Government is clear that domestic violence and abuse can involve coercive and controlling behaviour, including dowry abuse and other forms of financial abuse.