Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Court Backlog: Sexual and Violent Crime Victims

Tuesday 24 May 2022 · 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

  • The number of days taken for an adult rape case to progress from CPS charge to completion has fallen by 38 days since June 2021.
  • The government is increasing funding for victim support services to 185 million by 2024-25.
  • The roll-out of section 28 and increased funding for ISVAs will support victims and ensure they are kept in the court system.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chi Onwurah Lab Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Justice & Courts
Context

The MP is concerned about the impact of delays in the justice system, particularly for sexual and violent offences cases.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the impact of the court backlog on the wellbeing of victims of (a) sexual and (b) violent offences?

Answer from James Cartlidge

We are taking action across all jurisdictions to bring backlogs down and improve waiting times for those who use our courts. The number of days taken for an adult rape case to progress from Crown Prosecution Service charge to completion has fallen by 38 days since the peak in June 2021.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question asked about the impact on victim wellbeing, but the answer focused on reducing backlogs without addressing their effect on victims.

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Q2 Chi Onwurah Lab Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Justice & Courts Mental Health
Context

The MP discussed the significant investment in victim support by Northumbria police, but noted that it does not address systemic failures. She questioned the Minister's plan to reduce backlogs and asked about additional mental health support for victims.

Question

Does the Minister acknowledge that his plan to get the backlog down to 53,000 will not significantly address the delays? What additional support is he putting in place for the mental health of victims during these long delays?

Answer from James Cartlidge

The hon. Lady asks about what supports are in place; I am grateful to hear from her police and crime commissioner about the role that independent sexual violence advisers are playing. We are investing further in victim support services by increasing funding to £185 million by 2024-25.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not directly address whether reducing backlogs to 53,000 would significantly address delays and only partially addressed mental health support.

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Q3 Peter Bone Con
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

The MP discussed the challenges faced by victims of modern-day slavery and suggested that victim navigators could keep them engaged with the justice system.

Question

If the approach of having victim navigators, which is being piloted, could be spread further, more people would be kept in the court system and more evil gangs would be taken off our streets. How can we ensure this approach is expanded?

Answer from James Cartlidge

My hon. Friend makes a very good point. The roll-out of section 28 will support those cases, and there is a significant increase in funding for ISVAs who provide support for dealing with issues such as attrition and ensuring victims are supported throughout the process.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not directly address expanding victim navigators but discussed other measures like Section 28 roll-out and increased ISVA funding.

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