Home Affairs Committee eConsultation into Domestic Violence and Forced Marriage
The Home Affairs Select Committee is holding an eConsultation as part of its current inquiry into domestic violence. The inquiry has been set up to evaluate Government policy on domestic violence and the overall terms of reference can be found at http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/home_affairs_committee/hacpn070726no38.cfm. The Committee is running an eConsultation because it wants to hear about the experiences of survivors of domestic violence, including forcHome Affairs Committee eConsultation into Domestic Violence and Forced Marriage ed marriage and honour-based violence.
The Committee will use the information gathered through the eConsultation, alongside evidence given by experts in oral questioning sessions during January and February, to make recommendations to the Government about its policy, services and legislation on domestic violence and forced marriage. Quotes from the eConsultation will be used to support the Committee's final report and recommendations.
The eConsultation will open on 21 January 2008 and run until 29 February 2008. The site will be at http://forums.parliament.uk/dvec
How it works
The eConsultation will run for 6 weeks and will consist of a message board arranged around a small number of discussion topics. Discussion topics will include the prevention and identification of abuse; victims' experiences of support services, including for specific needs (such as LGBT, BME or male victims); and experience of the criminal justice system (police, courts, prisons and probation).
Participants who access the site will be asked to select an anonymous username and password. They will not be asked for any further registration details - this is because we want to promote absolute anonymity to reassure users. Participants will then be able to read posts on the site, and reply to or add their own comments.
Protecting user identity
The Committee recognises that those it is trying to reach may be vulnerable. It has therefore designed the eConsultation with careful thought to protect the safety of participants in the following ways:
No personal or contact details will be requested.
The site will have a ‘hide this screen' quick exit button.
The site contains information about how to clear internet cache and history.
The site has a clear privacy policy.
There are strict discussion guidelines relating to abusive, threatening or harassing messages. Any such messages will not be posted.
All messages will be moderated by trained moderators before being posted on the site. Any personal details or identifiers will be removed, as will any abusive, threatening or defamatory postings.
Getting involved
We want as many people as possible who have experienced domestic violence and/or forced marriage to contribute to the eConsultation. If you are an individual and feel that you, a close friend or family member have a relevant experience, please get online and get talking!
If you are an organisation working with women, domestic violence/forced marriage victims or other relevant individuals, please help us publicise the eConsultation. Here are some suggestions about what you could do:
Send out or distribute our A6 flyers - e.g. through your publication; in your offices; at health centres or GP surgeries etc
Put up our A4/A3 posters in public places - e.g. in your offices; local noticeboards; community centres; libraries; health centres or GP surgeries; shops; schools and colleges
Publicise the eConsultation web link from your website, e-bulletin or blog
Use our poster or flyer design and text as an advert box in your newsletter or magazine
To discuss other publicity, such as press or media features, articles, or interviews please contact the Committee media officer (details below)
Flyers and posters are available in electronic or hard copy. Please contact Gemma or Lis (contact details below) for copies.
For further information about the eConsultation please contact Gemma Buckland (bucklandg@parliament.uk) or Lis Bates (batese@parliament.uk). For media matters, please contact the Committee media officer, Jess Bridges-Palmer (bridgespalmerj@parliament.uk)