Last Thursday 8^th May 2008 Virendra Sharma MP sponsored an adjournment debate in the House of Commons on the topic of government support for organisations supporting the victims of domestic violence. During the debate Virendra Sharma MP raised the issue of dowries and domestic violence with the government minister replying to the debate, Solicitor General, Vera Baird MP.

Speaking in the debate Virendra Sharma MP said,

“Another area that needs to be looked at is dowry and the exploitation of women and their families through the abuse of this system. In India, dowries are illegal but are still widely entered into and are still part of the culture amongst south Asians here in the UK. In 2005, the Indian Government passed the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act. In its definition of “domestic violence”, the Act includes, “harassment by way of unlawful dowry demands to the woman or her family.”

A similar clause in UK law is necessary if some of the abuses that are occurring in the UK today are to be tackled.”

Replying for the Government the Solicitor General Vera Baird MP said,

“I also wish to compliment my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing, Southall (Mr. Sharma) on his consistent and clear approach to supporting this issue since he became a Member. I also compliment him on his understanding of it, and I acknowledge the key points that he has made about trafficking and dowries.”

Since the debate Virendra Sharma MP has had further discussions with Government ministers about how this matter can be taken forward.

If you would like to see a video of the speech, click below