#DiffuseAbuse

#diffuseAbuse graphicOver the years, we have seen the level of abuse, harassment and intimidation directed at those in public life intensify and it is on the rise.  
 

Organisations such as the LGA, the Jo Cox Foundation and many others have a large volume of evidence which lays bare the impact of abuse, intimidation, harassment and aggression at local and national level, including the murders of Jo Cox MP and Sir David Amess MP.  

While all abuse is bad - whether you are in public life or not - statistically, women, women of colour and those in marginalised groups such as the disabled or LGBTQIA+ communities, will face more abuse, including the threat of sexual violence, and efforts to silence them.   
At LWN, we have many examples and experiences from our members and supporters of the levels and nature of abuse they receive. In response, a core element of our training is now on resilience. We have also increased the number of support sessions we host over elections periods, so women have a safe space to share their concerns.  

While LWN's aims and objectives are clearly focussed on the Labour Party and its internal workings, we have long campaigned to #DiffuseAbuse. To do this we need all political parties to play their part so that we can all freely share our views and still be civil.  

What our Labour Government should do: 

  • Implement in full the Civility Commission recommendations now. 
  • All candidates for national elections should be required to provide an up-to-date (within the last 6 months) enhanced DBS Check with Barred Lists, along with their nomination papers and deposit. This will be published for each candidate on the statement of nominations, so the public can read it before they vote.  
  • For all elections, registered political parties must do a minimum standard of due diligence for candidates. As a minimum this must check the legal eligibility to stand for each candidate.  Where a political party stands a candidate that is legally ineligible, the Local Authorities should have the powers to reclaim any by-election charges.  
  • For all elections, all candidates and agents must attend a mandatory briefing session conducted in partnership with the Police, Local Authority and other agencies regarding their conduct within the elections period.  
  • Within Local Government budgets, there should be monies available for Councillors to access should they require extra security measures at home or to conduct their duties, following recommendations from the Police.  
  • There should be a ringfenced element of the communication budget for Councillors to claim for a mobile phone, so they do not have to use their personal number. 
  • Election Officers with Local Authorities need to be aware of the gendered nature of abuse and the legal protections available.   
  • For all elections, we should remove the ability to add a home address to both the nomination and ballot papers for all candidates.  
  • Review the sentencing guidelines on punishment for those convicted of abuse against politicians (and candidates) and ensure adequate enforcement.  

What the Labour Party and/or Labour Groups should do: 

  • All candidates (both national and local) should be required to provide an up-to-date (within the last 6 months) enhanced DBS Check with Barred Lists. This would be made available to the NEC (or regional interviewing panel) and the ward at the selection meeting.  
  • Talk to candidates as soon as they are selected about the practical ways they can protect themselves from abuse, for example to consider buying a separate mobile phone before any campaigning starts, setting up new social media profiles separate from their personal ones, etc.  

What Labour Women’s Network is already doing and will do in the future: 

  • LWN will continue to run their highly successful training programmes aimed at those seeking public office, evolving our resilience section as we go. 
  • Continue with our support sessions for candidates, advice surgeries for Councillors or those in other forms of public office and skills-based workshops.   
  • Work with others, like the Jo Cox Foundation and the LGA Labour Group, to keep pushing forward with this agenda. 

To support our campaign, we would like you to:

1. Sign our #DiffuseAbuse Petition to show the Government and the Labour Party we want them to act.

2. Call it out! Then tweet, mention, share on your socials using the #DiffuseAbuse

3. Save our graphic and share on your socials, click here, OR share our social media posts. Click to share on Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Insta | BlueSky

 

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19 i support lwn's #diffuseabuse campaigns