The Bishop of Newcastle tabled a question on steps being taken to reduce domestic violence against children and prevent such behaviour being learned and repeated by those under 16 on 19th January 2026:
The Lord Bishop of Newcastle: To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reduce domestic violence against children, and prevent such behaviour being learned and repeated by those under 16.
Lord Hanson of Flint (Lab, Home Office): Tackling abuse in teenage relationships and preventing abuse before it happens is a priority for the Government. The recently published violence against women and girls strategy commits to ensuring that all children learn about healthy relationships and consent in school, provides a helpline for young people concerned about their own behaviour to provide support and guidance, and delivers interventions for young people which challenge and change harmful attitudes and behaviours.
The Lord Bishop of Newcastle: I thank the Minister for his Answer. Can he give an update on the Government’s response to calls to lower the statutory age at which individuals can be seen as victims of domestic abuse? This is otherwise known as Holly’s law, named after the Northumberland teenager, Holly Newton, who was murdered by her ex-partner.
Lord Hanson of Flint: I am very aware of the murder of Holly Newton, and my thoughts are with her family and friends. As the right reverend Prelate may know, the Home Office is undertaking a scoping review into the legal framework of domestic abuse to ensure that it captures the experience of adolescents in particular. This includes—the point that the right reverend Prelate mentioned—reviewing the age limit in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. The review will conclude during the course of this year, and I will be able to report back in due course.
The Lord Bishop of Manchester: My Lords, the Question was about domestic violence, and it seems we have strayed slightly off the subject. Does the Minister agree that most harm that comes to children is within the home? We hear an awful lot about social media and other forms of harm, but children are usually most at risk from a relative or a close friend of the family.
Lord Hanson of Flint: It is. The Question was phrased in relation to teenage-on-teenage violence, but it is important that parental responsibility is also managed effectively. In the violence against women and girls strategy, that is certainly recognised, and I hope that the right reverend Prelate will be able to support us over the 10-year period to try and do so.
The Church of England in Parliament 
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