Jess Phillips Condemns Need for Crises to Spark Action on Women's Safety
Home Office Minister Jess Phillips has declared that the global outrage over the Jeffrey Epstein files must serve as a catalyst for genuine change, while expressing profound frustration that such scandals are often required to prompt institutional action. In a powerful statement, Phillips emphasised that women and girls should not have to endure violence or abuse before their concerns are taken seriously by systems and authorities.
"Downright Furious" at Delayed Progress
Phillips, a key architect of the Government's strategy to combat violence against women and girls, stated she was "downright furious" that meaningful progress frequently hinges on public crises. She argued that victims of Epstein and similar predators deserve more than empty platitudes; they require concrete accountability and preventive measures to ensure such abuses cannot recur.
The minister's comments come amid a turbulent period for the British Government, which has faced scrutiny over appointments linked to the Epstein scandal. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been questioned about selecting Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US despite his documented connections to Epstein. Additionally, Starmer has drawn criticism for awarding a peerage to former communications chief Matthew Doyle, who previously supported a councillor convicted of child sex offences.
Call for Deeds Over Words
In an article for the Guardian, Phillips wrote: "Deeds not words are what matter. If repentance and sorrow is all we achieve out of the courage of the Epstein victims, we will have failed; change is all that will suffice." She highlighted her weariness with the pattern where women and children must wait for a scandal to ignite action, stressing that institutions should not require them to "bleed first and act second."
Phillips underscored that women advocate for safety and justice during calm periods, and they should not be forced to "scream" to be heard. She called for a steadfast commitment to holding abusers accountable and investing in prevention programs, aiming to reduce the likelihood of future predators emerging in settings like UK classrooms.
Pushing for Systemic Reforms
The minister detailed her efforts to embed the Government's violence against women and girls strategy across multiple sectors, including:
- Courts and legal systems
- The NHS and healthcare services
- Armed forces and defence institutions
- Housing and social support networks
- Schools and educational environments
Phillips argued that treating this issue as solely a Home Office matter is insufficient. She advocated for the NHS to prioritise the impacts of abuse with the same urgency as chronic conditions like diabetes, and for schools to address how violence affects pupils' wellbeing and future opportunities.
A Strategy with Investment at Its Core
While proud of the Government's blueprint, which focuses on investment and systemic change, Phillips acknowledged that ambitions must continually be stretched. She warned against caring about the issue only when it is politically convenient, asserting that Epstein's victims deserve better than cyclical attention. Her message reinforces the need for sustained, proactive measures to protect women and girls, rather than reactive responses driven by scandal.
