Sexual Offences 2022-02-23
2022-02-23
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Recent trends show an increase in reported sexual offences, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current measures.
What steps she is taking with the Home Secretary to tackle the potential causes of recent trends in the level of reported sexual offences?
We know that rape and sexual offences are still too often hidden crimes. We have seen a large increase in police-recorded sexual offences, likely due to victims having additional confidence to report following high-profile cases and the reopening of the night-time economy. Our rape review outlines a robust plan of action to drive improvement at every stage of the criminal justice system.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific steps being taken with the Home Secretary.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Only one in 75 women who report rape see their case result in a conviction, highlighting issues with the investigation and prosecution processes.
One in 75 women who report rape see their case come to a conclusion and a conviction. What does she say to women who feel they have not had their cases properly investigated?
We acknowledge issues across the criminal justice system, including with the Crown Prosecution Service. We have set ambitious goals for our partners to improve the rate of rape prosecutions and will continue pushing them.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a direct answer to why women feel discouraged from pursuing their cases.
Committed
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Labour calls for misogyny to be recognised as a hate crime, but the Government opposes this move.
Why are the Government seeking to overturn our call to make misogyny a hate crime?
The Government is considering the Law Commission's proposals and believes that making misogyny a hate crime could have harmful effects on prosecutions. We are determined to tackle violence against women and girls but do not see this as an effective measure.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The Law Commission suggests adding public sexual harassment as a specific crime to improve prosecution rates.
Does she agree with the Law Commission that public sexual harassment should be a specific crime?
The Home Office is looking carefully at whether there should be additional offences for public sexual harassment. We are already supporting women and girls through measures like high-profile national communications campaigns to encourage reporting of such incidents.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a direct agreement or disagreement with the Law Commission's suggestion.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Human trafficking cases are under-reported with low conviction rates.
Will the Government support a private Member's Bill to ensure more victims see perpetrators behind bars?
We are already supporting victims of trafficking through modern slavery legislation and the national referral mechanism. We should be proud of our work in protecting and supporting these individuals, which is leading the world in this area.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address whether the Government will support the Bill.
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q6
Direct Answer
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Context
Officers and constables support the idea of classifying misogyny as a hate crime.
Can she explain why the Government seems to disagree with making misogyny a hate crime?
The Law Commission experts have advised that the Labour amendment would make prosecutions harder. We do not want to see this outcome and therefore are not supporting such measures.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
Sarah Everard's kidnap and murder occurred a year ago, highlighting the need for action on violence against women. Sexual offences have reached record highs while prosecutions are at record lows.
I have been listening to police forces, their officers, and victims about violence against women. Next week marks a year since Sarah Everard's kidnap and murder. Despite this, sexual offences and rape have hit record highs, while prosecutions have fallen to record lows. We must treat violence against women as seriously as terrorism or organised crime. Will the Government make violence against women and girls a strategic policing requirement?
There is agreement across the House on dealing with violence against women and girls. We have allocated record sums to tackle these crimes. The measures mentioned are under consideration, and more information will be provided shortly.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to making violence against women a strategic policing requirement
We Are Looking At This
More Information Will Be Provided Shortly
Response accuracy