Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Support for Victims

Tuesday 18 October 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

  • Sarah Champion raised the issue of banning the use of victims' counselling notes in courts through the victims Bill.
  • The Minister responded that they are paying close attention to the issue through the work of the rape review and expressed willingness to attend an event to discuss further.
  • Anna McMorrin criticized the Government for failing to support victims and survivors while focusing on economic issues.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sarah Champion Lab Rotherham
Justice & Courts
Context

The question stems from concerns about the impact of recent Attorney General guidance on pre-trial therapy and victim support. There is a specific incident involving counselling notes being used in court, affecting victims' willingness to seek help.

Question

I thank the Minister for her comments, but I want to raise something specific that could be done through the victims Bill, which is to ban the use of victims' counselling notes in courts. In July, the Attorney General extended the guidance, making it easier for such notes to go into the public domain. That has had a huge and immediate chilling effect on victims getting pre-trial therapy and on them coming forward at all. Please can the Minister address this.

Answer from Rachel Maclean

The hon. Lady raises a vital issue to which we are paying close attention through the work of the rape review. It is not the case that it is now easier for those notes to be requested. I am aware that the hon. Lady is holding an event this afternoon. I would be very happy to come along, talk to her and put right some of the points she has made.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not directly commit to banning the use of victims' counselling notes in courts or provide a timeline for addressing this specific issue.

How: Paying Close Attention Through The Work Of The Rape Review, Not Easier For Those Notes To Be Requested

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Q2 Sarah Champion Lab Rotherham
Justice & Courts
Context

The question follows a discussion about the impact of recent Attorney General guidance on pre-trial therapy and victim support. A specific issue regarding the use of counselling notes has been raised.

Question

I thank the Minister for her comments, but I want to raise something specific that could be done through the victims Bill, which is to ban the use of victims' counselling notes in courts. In July, the Attorney General extended the guidance, making it easier for such notes to go into the public domain. That has had a huge and immediate chilling effect on victims getting pre-trial therapy and on them coming forward at all. Please can the Minister address this.

Answer from Rachel Maclean

We are determined to improve the experience of victims of rape and we are making great strides already. I would be very happy to come along, talk to her and put right some of the points she has made.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not directly commit to banning the use of victims' counselling notes in courts or provide a timeline for addressing this specific issue.

How: Determined To Improve, Very Happy To Come Along

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Q3 Anna McMorrin Lab Cardiff North
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

The question arises from concerns about the status of a victims Bill amid economic and market challenges. The MP references specific cases where victims have been denied justice.

Question

While the Government derail the economy and crash the markets, victims and survivors are still being abandoned. This Government are too busy trying to save their own skin to care about what is happening to victims. One survivor told me her partner sexually assaulted her and abused her child. Her truth was misbelieved and mistrusted. She never got her day in court. Now she is just one of many Jane Does denied justice and traumatised by the criminal justice system. These are the victims being failed by this Government's negligence, and now we have a victims Bill going nowhere. Will the Minister tell victims when she is finally going to put them first and bring forward a Bill?

Answer from Rachel Maclean

This Government are determined to stand behind victims of crime. That is why, as the hon. Lady knows, the Justice Committee has carried out detailed pre-legislative scrutiny. We are reviewing that very carefully and we will bring forward the victims Bill as soon as parliamentary time allows.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide a specific timeline or commitment on when the victims Bill would be brought forward.

How: Determined To Stand Behind, As Soon As Parliamentary Time Allows

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