Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Violence against Women and Girls: Prosecution

Thursday 1 February 2024 · 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 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • We are steadily increasing the number of rape cases sent to the Crown court.
  • A joint justice plan to transform how the police and CPS investigate and prosecute domestic abuse cases will be published soon, within a few weeks.
  • The Attorney General is proud of the close cooperation between police and CPS specialists, which has helped drive up rape prosecutions.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Diana R. Johnson Lab Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Crime & Law Enforcement Women & Equalities
Context

The question arises from a concern over the prosecution of cases involving violence against women and girls, seeking steps to increase these rates.

Question

What steps she is taking to help increase prosecution rates for cases relating to violence against women and girls?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

We are steadily increasing the number of rape cases sent to the Crown court. We are preparing to launch a joint justice plan, which will transform how the police and the Crown Prosecution Service investigate and prosecute domestic abuse cases.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific steps or commitments beyond vague descriptions.

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Q2 Rupa Huq Lab Ealing Central and Acton
Justice & Courts
Context

The solicitor general previously stated that a VAWG strategy for 2023-2025 was being developed but not published, prompting inquiry about its status.

Question

Last July, the then Solicitor General said a new VAWG strategy would be published later in the year. That has come and gone, so can you tell us the status of the strategy, who is consulting on it, and when it will be published?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

A great deal of work has been done. The joint justice plan will be ready very shortly—we are saying “in the spring”, but I think she will have to wait only a few weeks.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide details on strategy content or consultation process, offered vague timeline instead.

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Q3 Diana R. Johnson Lab Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

The Home Affairs Committee recommended that police forces should have specialist units to investigate rape cases, but not all do.

Question

One of our clear recommendations was that police forces need specialist units to investigate rape. Is the Attorney General as surprised as I am that not all forces have these units?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

The right hon. Lady knows the police are not directly under my supervision, but I am proud to talk about the close co-operation between police and CPS specialists in this field, which has really helped drive up rape prosecutions.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address why some forces lack specialist units or express concern, instead highlighted cooperation and positive trends.

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Q4 Paul Howell
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

A constituent's son was killed due to knife crime, with the perpetrator using social media from custody.

Question

My Newton Aycliffe constituent Zoey McGill suffered from knife crime when her son Jack Woodley was killed. She is now suffering again as one of the perpetrators uses social media from custody. Does the Attorney General agree that such actions should be prosecuted and publicised to deter others?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

That is why it is important we crack down on mobile phone use within prisons. The Government have put in £100 million for airport-style security to prevent phones from entering prisons, addressing serious incidents such as the one raised by my hon. Friend.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not explicitly agree or disagree with prosecuting social media use but focused on mobile phone ban measures instead.

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