Jess Phillips Calls for Epstein Files to Catalyse Long-Term Legislative Change
Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips has declared that politicians will have failed if "repentance and sorrow" are the only outcomes from the courage of Jeffrey Epstein's survivors. Phillips emphasised that the momentum from the Epstein files must be harnessed to push for substantial, long-term legislative reforms rather than quick-fix policy announcements.
Institutions Only Act After Calamity Strikes
Writing for the Guardian, the Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley criticised the tendency for institutions to take action on violence against women and girls only when a "calamity" or "political scandal" dominates headlines. She expressed weariness and fury that women and children must wait for a crisis to see progress, condemning an attitude of "bleed first and act second."
Phillips stated: "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. The long-term strategy of the government must be exactly that – long term."
Investment in Prevention is Crucial
Phillips highlighted the need for investment in prevention to ensure there is "less likely to be a future Epstein in a UK classroom today." She called for the government to ensure that abusers are held accountable so they cannot repeat their actions. The minister pointed out that under previous governments, efforts often felt "one tone," with insufficient investment in prevention.
She wrote: "I have worked on this issue under many governments, it always felt a bit one tone, and investment in prevention has never been made. We had to change that, we had to write a strategy that would actually deliver on our commitment to halve violence against women and children."
Practical Measures and Government Accountability
Phillips argued for more than just commitments, advocating for aims that are "actually achievable and practically measurable" to hold the government accountable and maintain focus. She proposed several key measures:
- The NHS should prioritise abuse in the same manner as chronic conditions like diabetes.
- Schools must be equipped with tools to address how abuse affects pupils, preventing them from becoming either perpetrators or survivors.
- Addressing the £13 billion lost annually in economic output due to domestic abuse should be a key component of improving economic growth and productivity.
Government Strategy and Cross-Departmental Mission
On the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper reinforced the government's commitment, stating that halving violence against women and girls over the next decade is "a priority and a mission" for Labour across all departments. Cooper emphasised the importance of listening to women and survivors of violence.
Cooper said: "The real focus should be on Epstein's victims, and also the work that this Labour government has been doing to tackle violence against women and girls. So that has to be about listening to women. It also has to be listening to survivors of violence."
Phillips concluded by stressing that Epstein's victims deserve better than temporary solutions, urging for a sustained, strategic approach to safeguard women and girls effectively.
