The London Assembly today gave its unanimous support to calls for better policing, victim support and prosecution of sexual assault in India and around the world, following the death of a teenage girl brutally beaten and raped in Delhi on 16th December 2012.

Assembly Members backed a motion urging the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime and the Metropolitan Police Service to offer expert support to the Mehra Commission, set up to investigate the police response and handling of the incident.

The motion notes how the tragedy, which attracted international attention and highlighted the problem of violence against woman, has outraged the people of India and the international community.

Dr Onkar Sahota AM, who proposed the motion said:

“The horrific gang-rape of a young student in Delhi shook the people of India and brought world-wide attention to the shocking treatment of women in many places around the world.”

“Wherever it happens, the authorities must not rest until justice is seen to be done and the victims given the support they need. I hope this motion acts as a message of solidarity to the people of India and give a voice to those who fear they cannot speak out about sexual violence against women.”

The full text of the motion agreed at today’s meeting reads as follows:

“This Assembly notes the tragic and horrific gang-rape of a young student in Delhi on the 16th of December, which has outraged the Indian Nation and drawn international attention to the global problem of violence against women.

This Assembly notes the strength of feeling of the people of London and supports calls for better policing, victim support, and prosecution of violence against women in India and around the world.

This Assembly therefore calls on the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime and the Metropolitan Police Service to offer support to the Mehra Commission in India in its investigation into policing, victim support, and prosecution of sexual assault.”

Notes for editors:

1. The motion was agreed unanimously at a meeting of the full Assembly today. Watch the webcast.
2. As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.

For more details, please contact Alastair Cowan in the Assembly Media Office on 020 7983 4504/4283.  For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.  Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit, Greater London Authority, on 020 7983 4100.