Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Stalking and Coercive Behaviour

Thursday 26 May 2022 · 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 2 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • James Grundy asked about the CPS's ability to prosecute cases of stalking and coercive behaviour.
  • The Minister noted that prosecutions for coercive and controlling behaviour have increased from five in 2015 to 1,403 in 2020-21.
  • James Grundy inquired about the Government's commitment to tackling violence against women and girls, highlighting legislative efforts since 2012 and 2015.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 James Grundy
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The question addresses the effectiveness of the CPS in dealing with serious crimes such as stalking and coercive and controlling behaviour, particularly focusing on recent assessments.

Question

What recent assessment she has made of the CPS's ability to effectively prosecute cases of (a) stalking and (b) coercive behaviour?

Answer from Alex Chalk

Stalking and coercive and controlling behaviour are serious crimes which disproportionately harm women. Prosecutions for both have increased in the years since the offences were created. In the case of coercive and controlling behaviour, they have risen from just five in 2015 to 1,403 in 2020-21. I am pleased to say that the conviction rate for domestic abuse cases in the last quarter for which data is available was 76%.

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Q2 James Grundy
Women & Equalities
Context

The question stems from the Government's legislative actions in 2012 and 2015 regarding stalking and coercive behaviour, seeking assurance on the prioritization of addressing violence against women and girls.

Question

The Government first legislated to deal with stalking and coercive behaviour in 2012 and 2015 respectively. Can my hon. and learned Friend assure me that the Government will continue to prioritise tackling violence against women and girls?

Answer from Alex Chalk

My hon. Friend is right. Those are just two elements of violence against women and girls. I am pleased that in the last decade the Government have: outlawed upskirting; criminalised sending revenge porn images; created a standalone offence of non-fatal strangulation; passed the Modern Slavery Act 2015; introduced the Domestic Abuse Act 2021; banned virginity testing and hymenoplasty; and reversed the decision to automatically release sexual offenders at the halfway point of their sentences. Those who commit crimes against women should expect condign punishment.

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