Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Sexual Assault: Naming of Victims

Tuesday 18 May 2021 · 2 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Complainants in rape and sexual offence cases are protected by automatic reporting restrictions with a lifetime ban on reporting any matter likely to identify a victim from the moment the offence is reported.
  • The government is considering additional measures to provide greater deterrence and protection for victims of sexual assault.
  • The government aims to ensure equity before the law and protect the anonymity of victims in cases of sexual assault.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Charlotte Nichols Lab Warrington North
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

People are naming victims of sexual assault, raising concerns about the safety and protection of these individuals.

Question

What steps he is taking in response to people naming victims of sexual assault. Complainants in rape and sexual offence cases are protected by automatic reporting restrictions with a lifetime ban on reporting any matter likely to identify a victim from the moment the offence is reported.

Answer from Kit Malthouse

Complainants in rape and sexual offence cases are protected by automatic reporting restrictions with a lifetime ban on reporting any matter likely to identify a victim from the moment the offence is reported. We are giving consideration to what more we could do to provide greater deterrence and punishment when an offence is committed.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures or timeline for additional steps to protect victims was not provided

How: Giving Consideration

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Q2 Charlotte Nichols Lab Warrington North
Women & Equalities
Context

Victims of sexual assault are being silenced from naming their abusers through civil actions taken by wealthy and powerful individuals. The questioner previously wrote to the Prime Minister in March asking for action, but received a reply that missed this point entirely.

Question

While we still see instances of victims of sexual assault being named publicly, women continue to be silenced from naming their abusers by civil actions from those who are wealthy enough to take them. I wrote to the Prime Minister in March asking him to take action on this, but the Minister's reply of 13 April missed this point entirely. Will he now say what steps he will take to prevent victims from being gagged by wealthy and powerful abusers in civil courts?

Answer from Kit Malthouse

Obviously, we want to make sure that there is equity before the law, and no matter how rich or powerful someone is, they have to obey the rules as they are laid down. We are giving consideration to what more we can do in this area to make sure that the anonymity of victims in this kind of case is protected and there is sufficient deterrent and punishment for those who name their own victims, or indeed those who are victims in court, so that it does not occur.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps or timeline for protecting sexual assault victims was not provided

How: Giving Consideration

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