Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Violence against Women and Girls: Prosecution Rates

Wednesday 1 February 2023 · 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Attorney General is gathering evidence from three specialist courts to inform decisions on further roll-out of specialist rape courts.
  • Operation Soteria aims to deliver cultural transformation in the investigation of rape cases, ensuring better support for victims and thorough investigations through joint working between police and CPS.
  • The Attorney General agrees that joint working between police and CPS is crucial from the outset of investigations, highlighting a gatekeeper role in Leeds to ensure proper investigation from the start.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

Only 3% of rape cases lead to charges, while Avon and Somerset police have tripled charge rates. A local pilot for specialist rape courts is in progress.

Question

What steps she is taking to increase the proportion of cases relating to violence against women and girls that are prosecuted? Can the Attorney General confirm when a decision on further roll-out of specialist rape courts will be made?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

Evidence is being gathered from our three specialist courts but I should emphasise that every Crown court tries rape cases and will benefit from the learning. The south-west, as outlined, is showing new ways of working with police and providing training to first responders.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The decision on further roll-out of specialist rape courts was not confirmed

How: Emphasised The Benefits Of Existing Arrangements

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Q2 Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

Prosecution rates for rape against women and girls are too low nationally.

Question

What impact does my right hon. and learned Friend believe that Operation Soteria will have on prosecuting cases of rape?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

Operation Soteria aims to deliver cultural transformation in investigation, ensuring victims are well-supported and cases thoroughly investigated through joint working between police and CPS.

Answered
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Q3 Miriam Cates
Justice & Courts Northern Ireland Women & Equalities
Context

A man received 140 hours of community service after assaulting his wife twice.

Question

What steps will the Attorney General take to ensure harsher sentences are given to those guilty of inflicting violence on women?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

Sentencing is a matter for independent judiciary, Ministry of Justice and Sentencing Council. The Government desires to do all they can to make sure victims get justice.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Steps to ensure harsher sentencing were not specified

How: Referred To Other Bodies' Responsibility

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Q4 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Justice & Courts
Context

Joint working between police and CPS is seen as necessary.

Question

Does the Attorney General agree that joint working between police and CPS is crucial from the outset of investigations? Is there any update on its roll-out nationally?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

I agree that joint working is essential. In Leeds, a gatekeeper works between lawyers and victims to ensure proper investigation from the start.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Updates on national roll-out were not provided

How: Emphasised Importance But No Updates

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