New Law Passes Legislation Aimed at Strengthening Protections for Women

In a significant decision, lawmakers have approved a package of new legislation designed to strengthen protections for women and girls facing violence and domestic abuse.

The measures introduce several new criminal offences, including specific laws targeting stalking and acts of external or non-fatal strangulation. Legislators say the changes aim to close gaps in existing legal protections and provide clearer tools for law enforcement to address serious forms of abuse.

The legislation will also tackle harmful behaviour online. New provisions are intended to better prevent and punish digital abuse, including offences such as revenge pornography, cyber-flashing and the creation or distribution of deepfake images.

Politicians backed the proposals unanimously during the vote.

The reforms were shaped by recommendations from the Violence Against Women and Girls taskforce, which published its report in 2023 calling for stronger safeguards and updated laws.

Home Affairs Minister Deputy Mary Le Hegarat described the legislation as an important step forward.

“I think it’s very significant,” she said. “The laws we are bringing forward today strengthen the framework we already have and make necessary changes in areas such as stalking and strangulation, which are clearly issues we need to address.”

Deputy Catherine Curtis, who chairs the Home Affairs, Education and Children’s Scrutiny Panel, also welcomed the move, saying the changes could have life-saving consequences.

“Some women’s lives could be saved by these laws,” she said.

However, Deputy Helen Miles voiced concerns about how the new measures would be funded. While supporting the legislation, she said it remained unclear where the necessary resources would come from.

“It’s not yet clear where that money will come from,” she said. “My concern is that the agencies responsible for enforcing these laws must have the resources they need - ensuring police can properly investigate cases and that probation and after-care services can safely manage offenders in the community.”

In response, Le Hegarat said introducing the legislation first would help strengthen the case for additional funding.

“For me it was important to get the laws in place,” she said. “Once they are in force, I can clearly demonstrate the need for the funding required to support them.”