Support for Victims 2022-10-18
2022-10-18
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question stems from concerns about the impact of recent Attorney General guidance on pre-trial therapy and victim support. There is a specific incident involving counselling notes being used in court, affecting victims' willingness to seek help.
I thank the Minister for her comments, but I want to raise something specific that could be done through the victims Bill, which is to ban the use of victims' counselling notes in courts. In July, the Attorney General extended the guidance, making it easier for such notes to go into the public domain. That has had a huge and immediate chilling effect on victims getting pre-trial therapy and on them coming forward at all. Please can the Minister address this.
The hon. Lady raises a vital issue to which we are paying close attention through the work of the rape review. It is not the case that it is now easier for those notes to be requested. I am aware that the hon. Lady is holding an event this afternoon. I would be very happy to come along, talk to her and put right some of the points she has made.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not directly commit to banning the use of victims' counselling notes in courts or provide a timeline for addressing this specific issue.
Paying Close Attention Through The Work Of The Rape Review
Not Easier For Those Notes To Be Requested
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question follows a discussion about the impact of recent Attorney General guidance on pre-trial therapy and victim support. A specific issue regarding the use of counselling notes has been raised.
I thank the Minister for her comments, but I want to raise something specific that could be done through the victims Bill, which is to ban the use of victims' counselling notes in courts. In July, the Attorney General extended the guidance, making it easier for such notes to go into the public domain. That has had a huge and immediate chilling effect on victims getting pre-trial therapy and on them coming forward at all. Please can the Minister address this.
We are determined to improve the experience of victims of rape and we are making great strides already. I would be very happy to come along, talk to her and put right some of the points she has made.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not directly commit to banning the use of victims' counselling notes in courts or provide a timeline for addressing this specific issue.
Determined To Improve
Very Happy To Come Along
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from concerns about the status of a victims Bill amid economic and market challenges. The MP references specific cases where victims have been denied justice.
While the Government derail the economy and crash the markets, victims and survivors are still being abandoned. This Government are too busy trying to save their own skin to care about what is happening to victims. One survivor told me her partner sexually assaulted her and abused her child. Her truth was misbelieved and mistrusted. She never got her day in court. Now she is just one of many Jane Does denied justice and traumatised by the criminal justice system. These are the victims being failed by this Government's negligence, and now we have a victims Bill going nowhere. Will the Minister tell victims when she is finally going to put them first and bring forward a Bill?
This Government are determined to stand behind victims of crime. That is why, as the hon. Lady knows, the Justice Committee has carried out detailed pre-legislative scrutiny. We are reviewing that very carefully and we will bring forward the victims Bill as soon as parliamentary time allows.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide a specific timeline or commitment on when the victims Bill would be brought forward.
Determined To Stand Behind
As Soon As Parliamentary Time Allows
Response accuracy