Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Rape Charge Rates

Tuesday 27 June 2023 · 5 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Rape charge rates are being assessed through the rape review.
  • The number of adult rape prosecutions has risen by 44% in the last year.
  • Women face delays of nearly three years for a result, impacting their mental health and wellbeing.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ruth Jones Lab Newport West and Islwyn
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The MP noted that rape convictions were 30% higher in 2016 compared to 2010, questioning the adequacy of current charge rates.

Question

What recent assessment has been made on the adequacy of rape charge rates?

Answer from Alex Chalk

Through the rape review, we are making strong progress in increasing the number of referrals to the Crown Prosecution Service and adult rape cases back to 2016 levels. Adult rape prosecutions have risen by 44% in the last year.

Answered
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Q2 Christian Wakeford Lab Bury South
Crime & Law Enforcement Women & Equalities Mental Health
Context

The MP highlighted that women who report rape face a low chance of their perpetrators being charged, with an average wait time of 839 days for court proceedings.

Question

Is it any wonder that women do not come forward when they have been raped? Not only is there a 1% chance of the perpetrator being charged, but women have to wait nearly three years for a result. Recent figures from Rape Crisis show delays impacting victims' mental health and wellbeing.

Answer from Alex Chalk

The number of prosecutions is higher this year than it was in 2010. There are 800 independent sexual violence advisers to support victims, which were not present in significant numbers in 2010.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Whether the government has given up protecting women and girls

How: Regretting Language, Focusing On Statistics

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Q3 Ruth Jones Lab Newport West and Islwyn
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

The MP cited that there were 580 rapes recorded by Gwent police for the year ending March 2022, with only a 1.3% charge rate.

Question

Given 580 rapes recorded and a 1.3% charge rate, how many Gwent cases resulted in successful prosecution?

Answer from Alex Chalk

The number of rape convictions is around the level it was in 2010. The number of cases passed by police to CPS for charge has increased by 130%, charged cases have risen more than 90%, and received Crown court cases are up over 120%. Sentences are now a third longer.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Details of successful prosecutions in Gwent

How: Disputing Statistics, Highlighting Progress

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Q4 Maria Miller Con
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

The MP acknowledged increased case numbers and asked about speeding up the time taken to get a case to court.

Question

Could he outline what more is being done to speed up the time taken to get a case to court?

Answer from Alex Chalk

Rolling out section 28s ensures that individuals can record their account on tape. Independent sexual violence advisers and independent domestic violence advisers provide critical support. Victims' services offer court familiarisation visits, victim personal statements updates from officers.

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Q5 Edward Timpson Con
Justice & Courts
Context

The MP raised concerns about section 28 achieving best evidence video interviews being de-prioritised due to criminal court backlogs.

Question

Is he aware of incidents where such cases are being deprioritised because of the backlog?

Answer from Alex Chalk

I would be happy to look at these issues and discuss them with him in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to report back

How: Referring To Judiciary

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