
Daily Politics from the New Statesman Misogyny is a "national emergency"
Dec 18, 2025
Rachel Cunliffe, a journalist and New Statesman writer on politics and culture, joins to discuss the government's delayed strategy to halve violence against women and girls. They explore the urgent need for action, highlighting alarming statistics that frame this as a national emergency. Rachel critiques the adequacy of proposed education and policing measures, debates cultural implications of online misogyny, and advocates for teaching children about healthy relationships. The timing of the strategy's rollout raises questions about political motivations and effectiveness.
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Holistic Government Strategy
- The government's halving-violence mission is cross-departmental, covering policing, education, health, housing, transport and tech.
- Rachel Cunliffe says a holistic approach aims to prevent abuse and improve criminal-justice and victim support systems.
Events Trigger News Cycles
- High-profile murders like Sarah Everard repeatedly trigger national debates on women's safety.
- Rachel Cunliffe recounts recurring media cycles after horrific events that spotlight systemic failures.
Delay For Depth Risks Politics
- Jess Phillips delayed the strategy arguing completeness over speed, reflecting trade-offs in policymaking.
- Rachel Cunliffe notes delay risks political criticism despite aiming for a comprehensive approach.
