To be absolutely disgusted at the parliamentary debate on sexual violence against women.

[Marilynsbigsister]

There was a debate in parliament today. It was about ending sexual violence against women. A grand 'idea' perhaps and maybe the remit needed to be a little more directed but really ! How many MPs are there ? 635 or something.. how many thought it important enough to turn up .. whilst Michelle Thomas MP made the most remarkable speech detailing how she was raped at 14.
The answer.. approx 25 including the speaker. That's how important our law makers believe this issue to be.
AIBU to believe that if men suffered the level of sexual violence that women suffer, this debate would have been attended by most MPs. In fact if Michelle Thomas had said nothing. None of us would have known it was happening.

hansard.parliament.uk/search/Debates?startDate=2016-12-08&endDate=2016-12-

Debates are listed here on hansard, but I don't know if they show MPs present.

Women are simply not represented by politicians

Michelle Thomson not Thomas

It is an amazing speech
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-38250541

Actually brings tears to my eyes. Very very brave of her.

This FOI explains that there is no requirement to attend parliament so no registers of attendance are available: www.parliament.uk/site-information/foi/foi-and-eir/commons-foi-disclosures/members-of-the-house-of-commons-and-members-staff/members-attendance/. As a sort of alternative this website: www.theyworkforyou.com may be of interest as it tells you how your MP has voted on issues as well as the issues they are interested in and the most recent comments they have made in parliament.

Here is a link to the written version of the debate.
I'm not sure it was actually a debate but was the recognition of UN international day, Violence against Women.
Michelle Thomson is about a third of the way down.

hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2016-12-08/debates/E44C950D-B3DF-4C11-924E-B1C62D565709/UNInternationalDayViolenceAgainstWomen

The other speakers are there, but no record of any who didn't speak.

3 male MPs walk out just as she started her speech.
I wonder who they were.

It was a very moving speech. Brave woman.
It's interesting to see that the SNP and Plaid Cymru benches are full, and the other benches almost empty.

Michelle Thomson was just amazing. Such courage.

Yanbu op. When it comes to marginalised groups (and I deliberately didn't use the word minority because that's incorrect in the context and in many, many instances) Parliament just doesn't represent them/us.

Well my MP didn't speak. Guess I'll have to ask her whether she was there.

Almost a total lack of male MPs speaking or attending though. Almost as if they didn't think this was an important issue (or maybe they don't have any female constituents).

It is poor, but the House is mostly pretty empty unless there's PMQs or a bill going through. MPs are really busy and their diaries will be scheduled to the nth. I don't think it necessarily reflects their attitudes on the issue (though leaving as Michelle Thomson started speaking is definitely rubbish).

I saw this on the BBC news last night and was so disappointed at the empty seats and she was so courageous . I'm glad the BBC showed it and the near empty audience. It also really highlights the lack of women in politics too.

YA sooo NBU

We are half of the population. Perhaps we should have a women's strike day once a year, instead of the meaningless international women's day, to remind them.