Rape Prosecution Rate 2022-01-17
2022-01-17
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP notes that despite clear evidence of the importance of specialist rape units in achieving successful case outcomes, two-fifths of police forces lack such units. Warwickshire closed its RASSO unit in 2014 and its domestic abuse unit last year.
What discussions she has had with the Attorney General on taking steps to increase the prosecution rate for rape. Two fifths of police forces actually lack specialist rape units, despite clear evidence showing that they are important to achieving successful case outcomes. Warwickshire shut its RASSO—rape and serious sexual offences—unit in 2014 and its domestic abuse unit last year, yet it has the worst conviction rate. Next week, I am going to hold a summit on violence against women and girls. I want to know from the Minister: why do the Government oppose Labour's calls for RASSO units to be restored to all police forces? Can she explain whether there is any correlation between the conviction rates achieved, with Warwickshire's being the worst in the country, and the loss of such units?
We are determined to increase the number of rape cases reaching court, which is why we are working closely with the Attorney General and the Deputy Prime Minister to implement the rape review action plan, published in June. Progress includes publishing the first scorecard on cases, in order to understand where the system is failing to deliver; piloting a new approach to investigations through Operation Soteria; and launching a victims' Bill consultation.
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Assessment & feedback
Why the Government opposes Labour's calls for RASSO units restoration and whether there is any correlation between conviction rates and loss of such units.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP notes specific cases of young rape victims waiting years for trials, with accused rapists walking free. The police cannot guarantee safety in these complex cases.
I spent Friday morning with a young 20-year-old rape victim who is now in her fifth year awaiting a trial. I then spent the afternoon with a young woman who has been groomed and sexually exploited for a decade. She told me that on occasion she has been forced to have sex with up to 50 men a day. The police cannot guarantee her safety, in her complex case of organised crime, so she has come forward and withdrawn numerous times. Both the accused rapist in the first case and the many, multiple gang members involved in the second are walking free, able to abuse, groom and rape as many women and children as they like. These cases are not rare; they are not unusual. Operation Soteria has already made it very clear to Ministers that there is a real need for more specialism and priority within police forces, so the Minister saying that she is going to pilot it in 14 more areas and find out the exact same thing is not going to be enough. There is a need for specialism, and a need for it now, so why are the Government not backing Labour's calls to ensure that every police force area has a RASSO unit? Will she answer that?
All of us speak to and work with victims of horrendous crimes. Ministers are constantly engaged in that kind of work. That is why we are putting more funding into the police to enable them to tackle these hideous crimes.
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Assessment & feedback
Why the Government opposes restoring RASSO units in all police forces and whether there is a need for immediate specialism within police forces.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP describes specific cases of rape victims waiting years for trials and being groomed and sexually exploited, with accused rapists walking free.
I spent Friday morning with a young 20-year-old rape victim who is now in her fifth year awaiting a trial. I then spent the afternoon with a young woman who has been groomed and sexually exploited for a decade. She told me that on occasion she has been forced to have sex with up to 50 men a day. The police cannot guarantee her safety, in her complex case of organised crime, so she has come forward and withdrawn numerous times. Both the accused rapist in the first case and the many, multiple gang members involved in the second are walking free, able to abuse, groom and rape as many women and children as they like.
Ministers are constantly engaged in that kind of work. That is why we are putting more funding into the police to enable them to tackle these hideous crimes.
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Assessment & feedback
Why the Government opposes restoring RASSO units in all police forces and whether there is a need for immediate specialism within police forces.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP acknowledges the powerful points made by Labour Members regarding the need for specialist units and the importance of tackling serious crimes, but raises concerns about potential injustice to innocent individuals.
The two points made by Labour Members were very powerful and have had a huge impact on the House, and I thank them for making them. I simply rise to say that there also needs to be a very careful balance, because, from time to time, people are accused of rape when they are innocent. I do not want to see the pendulum swing from one extreme to another and injustice being done in another way.
I thank my hon. Friend for raising such an important issue. These and many other issues are captured in the rape review. Every Member of this House will be concerned about the level of rape prosecutions, which is why the Government are working across Departments to improve the system overall.
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Assessment & feedback
Details on balancing justice for both victims and potential innocents accused of rape.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP references a report by Dame Elish Angiolini recommending that specialist rape units should investigate rape cases, highlighting the Home Affairs Committee's inquiry findings.
The Minister will know that, in 2015, in her report on rape investigations and prosecutions in London, Dame Elish Angiolini recommended that the specialist RASSO police officers should investigate rape cases. We heard much evidence to back that up in the inquiry that the Home Affairs Committee has just concluded. I have a question for the Safeguarding Minister, who appeared before the Committee in December. At the time she could not tell us how many police officers were RASSO trained, or, indeed, how many of the new recruits to the police had been RASSO trained. Is she able to do so today?
I congratulate the right hon. Lady on her election to the Chair of the Home Affairs Committee. I look forward to responding to her in due course. She raises an important issue. It is important to say that specialist training is taking place through Operation Soteria and a number of other avenues.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific figures on RASSO trained police officers and recruits.
Under Review
Response accuracy