Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from concerns over the sentencing of individuals convicted of rape, particularly given the low prosecution rate.
What plans does he have to increase sentences for people convicted of rape. The context is that in 2019-20 just 3% of reported rapes led to a prosecution—an historic low. Of those who received a jail sentence since this Government came to power, almost 3,000 rapists have been jailed for six years or less.
The maximum penalty for rape is life imprisonment, and already rapists rightly receive significant sentences, with the average sentence in 2020 being more than 10 years. The Government believe that those who commit rape should spend more of their sentence in prison, and under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, currently before Parliament, we will increase the time that they spend behind bars.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about addressing low prosecution rates was not directly addressed with concrete commitments or actions.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question addresses the low prosecution rate of reported rapes, with less than a third leading to prosecution in 2019-20. It also highlights that since the Government came to power, nearly 3,000 rapists received sentences under six years.
In 2019-20 just 3% of reported rapes led to a prosecution—an historic low. Of those who received a jail sentence since this Government came to power, almost 3,000 rapists have been jailed for six years or less. How can the Government claim to reassure victims that justice will be served with those appalling figures?
As I said earlier, the average sentence for rape is more than 10 years, and two-thirds of those convicted of that appalling crime receive more than seven years in prison. The number of cases of this horrendous crime that get to court are not high enough, so a taskforce including the Crown Prosecution Service and police leaders across the country has been established to drive up prosecution rates.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about addressing low prosecution rates was not directly addressed with concrete commitments or actions. The response mentions efforts but lacks specifics on how to improve prosecution rates.
Response accuracy