Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Support for Rape Victims

Tuesday 10 January 2023 · 10 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 8 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Department is implementing measures to improve support for rape victims in the criminal justice system.
  • The number of adult rape convictions in the UK increased by 65% in the last year.
  • A new 24/7 rape crisis support line is available to victims aged 16 or over in England and Wales.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Robin Millar
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

None provided, asking about steps taken to support rape victims.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to improve support for rape victims in the criminal justice system?

Answer from Dominic Raab

We have a comprehensive package of measures under way to improve support for victims of rape, and I can tell the House that in the last year, adult rape convictions rose by 65% over the previous year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify what steps are being taken other than mentioning an increase in convictions.

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Q2 Mark Fletcher
Justice & Courts
Context

A constituent raised concerns about registered sex offenders changing their names while in prison, causing concern for victims and families.

Question

I thank the Secretary of State for that answer. A constituent recently raised with me concerns about registered sex offenders being able to change their names while in prison, which causes immense concern to the families and loved ones of victims. What steps are being taken to ensure that, in such cases, offenders are not able to walk away from their crimes?

Answer from Dominic Raab

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. I can tell and reassure him that governors are under no obligation to accept requests for a change of name. Public safety is the most important consideration. When a change of name is recognised, probation records are updated, police are notified, and victims and others affected would also be notified.

Answered
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Q3 Robin Millar
NHS
Context

Welcoming the opening of a new rape crisis line, asking if such service should be available across England and Wales.

Question

I welcome my right hon. Friend's answer. In particular, I welcome the opening of a new rape crisis line offering essential support to victims. Does he agree that such a service should be made available across England and Wales, and will he ensure that it is promoted across England and Wales?

Answer from Dominic Raab

My hon. Friend is absolutely right and I thank him for raising that. It is critical for victims of rape across the United Kingdom. The new 24/7 support line is available to victims aged 16 or over in England and Wales. There is also a steering group, working with central Government and the Welsh Government, that has oversight of the service.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly commit to making it available across England and Wales.

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Q4 Sarah Champion Lab Rotherham
Justice & Courts Standards & Ethics
Context

The independent inquiry in child sexual abuse highlighted inconsistent application of the victims code, requesting legislation to inspect compliance with the victims code.

Question

The independent inquiry in child sexual abuse highlighted how victims are repeatedly failed by inconsistent application of the victims code, demonstrating the desperate need for legislation. Will the Government listen to the inquiry and commission an inspection of compliance with the victims code in relation to victims and survivors of child sexual abuse? When will the victims Bill be introduced?

Answer from Dominic Raab

I thank the hon. Lady for raising that important point. She will know that the victims Bill has gone through pre-legislative scrutiny—I am poised to respond to the Chair of the Select Committee—and it will address all the issues that she raises.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific timeline for introducing the victims Bill.

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Q5 Graham Stringer Lab Blackley and Middleton South
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

Case of Andrew Barlow, a convicted rapist, who is up for parole and the concern about notification to victims.

Question

One of the better ways of supporting rape victims is to ensure that when the rapist comes up for parole, the families of victims and the victim themselves are informed that parole is being considered. In the case of Andrew Barlow—the so-called “Coronation Street rapist”, who was convicted of many rapes—that has not happened. The Parole Board is now recommending that he be released. What will the Secretary of State do to ensure that in such cases, the parole system works properly and effectively?

Answer from Dominic Raab

The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to raise that case. That notification should happen. I will take this up and write to him afterwards. That support for victims right through the process, including for the parole of the perpetrator of such a serious offence, is important.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to immediate action other than to write to the MP afterwards.

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Q6 Kit Malthouse Con North West Hampshire
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

Praising the significant rise in rape convictions and asking about Operation Soteria roll-out.

Question

The significant rise in the number of rape convictions is extremely encouraging. As the Secretary of State will know, at the heart of that success, and indeed of support for rape victims, lies a new operating model: Operation Soteria. Can he update us on how many police forces and Crown Prosecution Service areas have now adopted that new operation, and when does he expect the 100% roll-out so that we can see that kind of rise across the whole country?

Answer from Dominic Raab

I have to start by paying tribute to my right hon. Friend for the exceptional job that he did working on this issue in the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice. The increase in rape convictions—we are restless to go further—is in no small part due to his efforts. I believe that Operation Soteria is ready for a June national implementation, and Ministers in the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice are liaising with all the outstanding police forces to make sure they are signed up.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific numbers on adoption by police forces and CPS areas.

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Q7 Liz Saville-Roberts PC Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Justice & Courts
Context

Rhianon Bragg's case and breach of GDPR, calling for circumstances where victims can appeal Parole Board decisions.

Question

Rhianon Bragg was ambushed and held at gun point for eight hours by former partner Gareth Wyn Jones after years of physical and verbal abuse. He was imprisoned in August 2019. Rhianon and I called for his parole hearing to be held in public, but the Parole Board insisted that the perpetrators' rights override those of the victim. In the meantime, appallingly, it turns out that Ministry of Justice staff sent a dossier containing intimate details about her, including a clinical psychologist's letter, to her abuser in prison over 10 months ago. Does the Secretary of State consider that there should be circumstances in which a victim can appeal a Parole Board decision to hold hearings in private? Does he agree that this breach of GDPR means that it is in the public interest for decisions about Jones's release to be held in public?

Answer from Dominic Raab

I thank the right hon. Lady for raising that very important and sensitive case with me. I cannot talk about the details, but I will write to her with the answers to the questions she has raised. All I would say more generally is that she will know that we had the first public parole hearing recently, which is part of the increase in transparency that I have introduced across the board.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly commit to allowing victims to appeal Parole Board decisions.

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Q8 Anna McMorrin Lab Cardiff North
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

The Operation Soteria report was released, revealing issues like victim blaming and poor investigations in handling of rape cases. No Victims Bill or Commissioner has been established.

Question

I am concerned about the release of the Operation Soteria report just before Christmas. It revealed issues such as explicit victim blaming and poor investigations in rape cases. We still have no victims' bill and no commissioner, so what is the Secretary of State actually achieving?

Answer from Dominic Raab

We introduced a 24/7 rape support line, rolled out Operation Soteria, and pre-recorded victim evidence is now used in all Crown courts. There has been an increase in the number of police cases referred to the CPS by almost double since 2019, with adult rape charges increasing by two thirds.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked about specific achievements and requested details on a victims' bill and commissioner. The answer did not address these points directly.

How: We Are Driving Forward, Downgrade The Efforts

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Q9 Stuart McDonald SNP
Democracy & Elections
Context

The Victims' Commissioner, Dame Vera Baird, warned that the Bill of Rights would harm women and undermine efforts to drive better police handling of cases.

Question

I thank my predecessor for her work in defending human rights. The former Victims' Commissioner warns that the Bill of Rights would harm victims by affecting their ability to push the police to improve. Will he now listen to these concerns and abandon his plans?

Answer from Dominic Raab

That critique is total nonsense; the Bill of Rights will help victims by enabling deportation of foreign national offenders. I look forward to bringing the victims' bill and having support from all Members.

Not addressed: The questioner asked about abandoning plans based on concerns raised, but the answer dismissed these as nonsense without addressing them specifically.

How: Total And Utter Nonsense

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Q10 Stuart McDonald SNP
Democracy & Elections

Question

The previous answer misunderstands the importance of convention case law in protecting victims. Neither the Secretary of State nor the Prime Minister ruled out complete withdrawal from the European Convention, which would be disastrous for victims. Is this due to political weakness or will he now rule out such a move?

Answer from Dominic Raab

Our Bill of Rights retains membership in the European Convention, but withdrawal is not off the table forever and a day for the future.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked about ruling out complete withdrawal from the convention. The answer acknowledged it was open for future discussion without giving an immediate commitment.

How: Not Off The Table

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