Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Sentences for Rape

Tuesday 14 September 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

  • The maximum penalty for rape is life imprisonment.
  • The average sentence for rape in 2020 was more than 10 years.
  • Two-thirds of those convicted of rape receive more than seven years in prison.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kate Osborne Lab Jarrow and Gateshead East
Justice & Courts
Context

The question arises from concerns over the sentencing of individuals convicted of rape, particularly given the low prosecution rate.

Question

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.

Answer from Kit Malthouse

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about addressing low prosecution rates was not directly addressed with concrete commitments or actions.

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Q2 Kate Osborne Lab Jarrow and Gateshead East
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Kit Malthouse

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: 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.

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