Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Violence against Women and Girls

Tuesday 12 September 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 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Department has taken steps to reform the criminal justice system to tackle violence against women and girls, including an end-to-end rape review and new victim protections.
  • Specialist rape courts in every Crown court are under consideration but no specific timeline was provided.
  • Training for court staff and the judiciary to support victims of abuse is being invested in, though specifics on mandatory training were not detailed.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ruth Jones Lab Newport West and Islwyn
Justice & Courts Women & Equalities
Context

The question is prompted by the need to address issues in the criminal justice system related to tackling violence against women and girls.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to reform the criminal justice system to help tackle violence against women and girls?

Answer from Edward Argar

The crimes associated with VAWG are abhorrent, which is why we have already taken significant action to strengthen the criminal justice system's response to it, including through our end-to-end rape review, driving up prosecutions, and the introduction of new protections for victims through the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. Much has been done, but we are ambitious in wanting to go further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide specific steps or timeline for reforms beyond mentioning existing actions and ambition.

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Q2 John Cryer Lab
Justice & Courts
Context

The question is prompted by the concern that it takes two years or more for rape cases to come to court, and 69% of victims withdraw from the cases before they come to trial.

Question

Has the Minister had the chance to look at our proposal for specialist rape courts in every Crown court in the country?

Answer from Edward Argar

I crave your indulgence, Mr Speaker. May I take this opportunity to pay tribute to the hon. Member for Cardiff North (Anna McMorrin), who shadowed me for some time, and to the hon. Member for Lewisham West and Penge (Ellie Reeves), who also did so? It remains our priority to deliver swifter access to justice for victims of rape. In June 2022, we announced our ambitious specialist sexual violence support project in three Crown courts aimed at improving facilities and technology. Listing is a judicial prerogative, and it is important we retain flexibility in the use of the court estate.

Not addressed: The Minister did not directly address whether they have looked into or consider supporting specialist rape courts.

How: Paying Tribute, Discussing Existing Projects

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Q3 Debbie Abrahams Lab Oldham East and Saddleworth
Justice & Courts Mental Health
Context

The independent inquiry into child sexual abuse recognized issues with the criminal justice system regarding delays in investigating and prosecuting child sexual abuse cases.

Question

What mandatory training for court, judicial and other criminal justice is available to ensure that they appropriately support people who have been subject to this abuse?

Answer from Edward Argar

It is nice to see the hon. Lady in her place and it is always a pleasure to answer questions from her. While training for the judiciary and courts is a matter for the judiciary and the Judicial College, we have been investing in training across a range of specialisms including handling child sexual abuse cases.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide details on specific mandatory training but highlighted investments made by police forces.

How: Acknowledging The Questioner

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Q4 Ruth Jones Lab Newport West and Islwyn
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

According to recent research, the average time a victim has to wait for their attacker to be charged is now 400 days.

Question

When will Ministers speed up the process and give women, girls and all victims of rape across England and Wales the justice they deserve?

Answer from Edward Argar

One of the key aims of Operation Soteria—the new model for investigating rape and serious sexual offences—is to improve timeliness. The number of rape convictions is at or around the level it was in 2010, while cases passed by police to CPS have increased by 130%, those charged are up more than 90% and received in Crown court is up by over 120%. Much has been achieved, but she is right to highlight that there is always more we can do.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide a specific timeline or commitment for speeding up the process.

How: Discussing Achievements

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Q5 Maria Miller Con
Context

The Minister has previously worked on amendments to the Online Safety Bill that will make it a criminal offence to post intimate images online without consent.

Question

Will he give us an indication of when the Government intend to bring forward further legislation, not only to deal with non-consensual sharing but also for constant review?

Answer from Edward Argar

It has been a pleasure to work with my right hon. Friend on those amendments to the Online Safety Bill, which returns to the Commons today. She is right to highlight the need for constant review of legislation given the rapidly changing environment we are legislating for.

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide any specific timing or commitments beyond acknowledging the importance of legislative reviews.

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