Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Violence against Women and Girls: Charge Rates

Monday 20 March 2023 · 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

  • Debbie Abrahams asked about steps to improve charge rates for perpetrators of violence against women and girls.
  • Debbie Abrahams raised concerns about a disabled woman victim of domestic abuse who did not receive adequate police response.
  • Kate Kniveton welcomed the Government's announcement for tougher sentences for domestic abusers who kill their partners or ex-partners.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Debbie Abrahams Lab Oldham East and Saddleworth
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement Women & Equalities
Context

The question arises from the need to address the issue of low charge rates for perpetrators of violence against women and girls.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to improve charge rates for perpetrators of violence against women and girls?

Answer from Sarah Dines

We are committed to holding perpetrators of violence against women and girls to account, as has been demonstrated by the rape review, the tackling violence against women and girls strategy and the tackling domestic abuse plan. To improve the police response, the Home Office is providing £6.65 million to develop the national operating model for rape investigations through Operation Soteria.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not directly address how charge rates will be improved or specific actions beyond funding and strategy.

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Q2 Debbie Abrahams Lab Oldham East and Saddleworth
Crime & Law Enforcement Women & Equalities
Context

Disabled women are twice as likely to be victims of domestic abuse as non-disabled women. A case involving a woman who was abused by her partner and felt let down by the police is highlighted.

Question

Disabled women are twice as likely to be victims of domestic abuse as non-disabled women. I am currently dealing with the case of a woman who has ended up in hospital as a result of abuse from her partner. She has had no direct contact with the police, no personal statement has been taken, and she feels completely let down. What is the Home Secretary doing to ensure that these women have the necessary confidence and trust to feel able to report such abuse to the police?

Answer from Sarah Dines

The Government are spending unprecedented amounts on training not only new but existing police officers in how to deal with victims. Disabled victims are no different from any other victim, and they are entitled to the same number and quality of responses. Police guidance dictates that officers will visit the scene of every reported instance of domestic abuse.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific actions or commitments for disabled women victims beyond general training.

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Q3 Kate Kniveton
Justice & Courts
Context

Last week's announcement by the Government led to tougher sentences for domestic abusers who kill their partners or ex-partners.

Question

I welcome last week's announcement by the Government which will lead to tougher sentences for domestic abusers who kill their partners or ex-partners. Can my hon. Friend confirm that this Government will always do everything possible to protect vulnerable women and girls and deliver justice to those who attack or threaten them?

Answer from Sarah Dines

This Government are made up of the party that believes in law and order, and wherever we can, we will continue to review sentences. Strictly speaking, this is a matter for the Ministry of Justice, but I know that the Deputy Prime Minister, and also the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary, are thoroughly committed to reviewing this sort of offence.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not confirm specific actions or commitments beyond general statements about commitment to law and order.

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