Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Rape and Sexual Assault: Prosecutions

Thursday 10 December 2020 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Tony Lloyd asked about declining rape prosecutions and the belief among victims that they will not receive justice.
  • The Attorney General stated that the Government will delay the publication of the end-to-end rape review until 2021 to engage properly with stakeholders.
  • Ellie Reeves questioned whether the Attorney General agrees that violence against women is a violation of human rights and requires addressing failures in the criminal justice system.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Tony Lloyd Lab
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

The question addresses declining rates of prosecution for rape and sexual violence, referencing the Victims Commissioner's findings on victim confidence in justice.

Question

I can rehearse the figures on declining rates of prosecution for rape and sexual violence. The Victims Commissioner found that only one in seven victims believes they will get any form of justice through our criminal justice system. Does the Attorney General agree that if rape is not to be a de facto matter of impunity, we must have the rape review published as soon as possible and see urgent action?

Answer from Suella Braverman

The hon. Gentleman is wrong to suggest that perpetrators of rape can behave with immunity. The Government have decided to delay publication of the end-to-end rape review until 2021, so we can ensure proper engagement with stakeholders and assess other findings, including the survey by the Victims' Commissioner.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Attorney General did not directly address whether she agrees that urgent publication is needed or provide a timeline for action.

How: Delay Publication Until 2021

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Q2 Tony Lloyd Lab
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

The question addresses declining rates of prosecution for rape and sexual violence, referencing the Victims Commissioner's findings on victim confidence in justice.

Question

I can rehearse the figures on declining rates of prosecution for rape and sexual violence. The Victims Commissioner found that only one in seven victims believes they will get any form of justice through our criminal justice system. Does the Attorney General agree that if rape is not to be a de facto matter of impunity, we must have the rape review published as soon as possible and see urgent action?

Answer from Suella Braverman

The hon. Gentleman is wrong to suggest that perpetrators of rape can behave with immunity. The Government have decided to delay publication of the end-to-end rape review until 2021, so we can ensure proper engagement with stakeholders and assess other findings, including the survey by the Victims' Commissioner.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Attorney General did not directly address whether she agrees that urgent publication is needed or provide a timeline for action.

How: Delay Publication Until 2021

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Q3 Ellie Reeves Lab Lewisham West and East Dulwich
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

The question addresses the lowest level of rape prosecutions on record, referencing a survey finding that only 14% of survivors believe they would receive justice by reporting.

Question

Rape prosecutions are at their lowest level on record, with recent surveys showing just 14% of survivors believe they will get justice. Does the Attorney General agree that violence against women is a violation of fundamental human rights and should focus on addressing failures in the criminal justice system rather than consultations on the Human Rights Act?

Answer from Suella Braverman

The decline in criminal justice outcomes for rape is a cause of deep concern. The CPS has published its strategy and updated legal guidance to address these issues, as part of an end-to-end rape review due next year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly respond whether she agrees that the Government should focus on addressing failures in the system instead of Human Rights Act consultations.

How: Complex And Cross-System Decline, End-To-End Rape Review

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