Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Victims Bill

Tuesday 14 September 2021 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministers announced a significant amount spent on increasing independent sexual violence advisers.
  • Hon. Members expressed impatience for the Victims Bill, with consultations set to be issued soon.
  • Ministers committed to reviewing the implications of cases like Sophie Moss's during the Bill's passage.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alex Davies-Jones Lab Pontypridd
Women & Equalities
Context

The question arises from a long-standing commitment in the Queen's Speech to bring forward legislation for victims' rights, with concerns over delays and consultation timing.

Question

We first heard about this in the Queen's Speech four months ago. In the year ending March 2020, more than 600,000 women aged 16 to 74 were victims of sexual assault. For these women desperately needing legal protections, when can we expect this legislation?

Answer from Kit Malthouse

A significant amount has been spent on increasing independent sexual violence advisers. The hon. Lady's impatience for the Bill is understandable, and a consultation will shortly be issued.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline for legislation release was not provided

How: We Have Spent Significantly More Money

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Q2 Alex Davies-Jones Lab Pontypridd
Justice & Courts
Context

Concern over the sentencing disparity for perpetrators of sexual violence against women, particularly highlighting the Sophie Moss case where a perpetrator received four years for homicide.

Question

Sophie Moss was violently killed, but her killer only served four years. Does my hon. Friend think there is an opportunity with the victims Bill to look at sentence length for such homicides? Can I urge him to press the Director of Public Prosecutions on why these cases are often prosecuted as manslaughter?

Answer from Kit Malthouse

Law Officers will look carefully at implications from the Sophie Moss case. The hon. Friend's concerns will be considered during the Bill's passage to ensure justice is seen by every victim.

Answered
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Q3 Laura Farris
Justice & Courts
Context

Six-year-long promises of a victims Bill have left victims traumatised, with poor communication and repeated delays. A constituent reported sexual assault two years ago without resolution or explanation.

Question

For six years, the Government has promised a victims Bill. Five Secretaries of State have made it their priority, yet victims wait in trauma. My constituent reported an assault two years ago; delay after delay means no progress or explanation for her case. One-third of victims would not report future crimes due to past experiences. Labour's Bill is ready. Will the Minister work with us? If not, why leave this young girl as an afterthought?

Answer from Kit Malthouse

Ministers and public servants work daily to support victims; however, many are unsatisfied. The Government will bring forward legislation soon for consultation.

Not addressed: The specific question about Labour's Bill was not addressed directly

How: Ministers Devote Themselves Every Day, A Deeply Unfair Characterisation

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Q4 Anna McMorrin Lab Cardiff North
Crime & Law Enforcement Women & Equalities
Context

The Government's commitment to bring forward a victims Bill was announced in the Queen's Speech over four months ago. There has been no further update since then, raising concerns about delays and lack of action.

Question

In the year ending March 2020, more than 600,000 women aged 16 to 74 were victims of sexual assault. For these women desperate for legal protections, when can we expect this legislation?

Answer from Kit Malthouse

A significant amount has been spent on increasing independent sexual violence advisers. The hon. Lady's impatience for the Bill is understandable, and a consultation will shortly be issued.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline for legislation release was not provided

How: We Have Spent Significantly More Money

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How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)