Violence against Women and Girls 2023-07-06
2023-07-06
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the prosecution rates of cases related to violence against women and girls.
What steps are being taken to increase prosecution rates for cases relating to violence against women and girls?
Work is going on across the criminal justice system to drive up prosecution levels. In Gower, charges of adult rape suspects have increased dramatically in the past year. The Solicitor General and I recently visited CPS South Wales to discuss its future plans.
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Assessment & feedback
Steps taken specifically are not detailed
General Statement
Hedges
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is advocating for Jade's law, which aims to prevent convicted murderers from having any say over their victims' children.
Will the Attorney General engage in a serious and sympathetic discussion with her colleagues in the Ministry of Justice about how we can make Jade's law a reality?
While I always enjoy my discussions with the hon. Lady, I am afraid that I am not a Minister in the Ministry of Justice. I am happy to pass on her points to those Ministers. The Attorney General's Office stays completely separate and independent of the Ministry of Justice.
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Assessment & feedback
Engagement with MOJ was specifically requested but denied due to organisational structure
Denial
Structural Avoidance
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the skills required for investigating and prosecuting serious sexual offences.
Will she therefore welcome the increase in prosecution counsel fees to an equal level with those for the defence so that we get the most competent people doing these cases? Will she also accept that more investment must continue to go in so that the Crown Prosecution Service can continue to recruit sufficient experienced rape prosecutors and have the digital technology to deal with things such as mobile phone evidence?
My hon. Friend knows well that I do not hold the budget that he is seeking to influence, but he is one of the best campaigners in the House and, as ever, he made his point extremely clearly. I watched with interest his Committee's proceedings earlier this week and noted what was said.
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Assessment & feedback
Budget responsibility was used to avoid direct commitment to fee increase or investment continuation
Structural Avoidance
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The joint inspectorate's report recommended immediate police and CPS work to ensure bad character is considered in all rape cases, but progress has not been adequately reported.
Almost 500 days ago, the joint inspectorate's report on the post-charge handling of rape cases recommended that immediately the police and the CPS should work...to ensure that bad character is considered in all rape cases, and progressed wherever it is applicable. But when I recently asked the Ministry of Justice about the issue, it could not even tell me how many bad character applications had been made or allowed in the last year, let alone what progress had been made in meeting the immediate recommendations from last year's report. Does the Attorney General know what progress has been made? If not, will she make immediate inquiries?
I am always interested in the right hon. Lady's inquiries into the way that data is produced. She has made some valid points in the past, and I am always keen to engage with her on how best we can provide transparency. I am happy to take her point forward with Ministry of Justice colleagues.
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Assessment & feedback
Immediate inquiry not committed; engagement offered but without timeline or specifics
Hedges
Promises
Response accuracy