Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Violence Against Women and Girls: Prosecution Rates

Thursday 9 May 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Tackling violence against women and girls is a priority for the Government.
  • The Attorney General agrees that increased prosecution numbers are generally a positive sign.
  • The Attorney General stated that specific figures for prosecutions under a new legislation are not available but will be provided later.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris Elmore Lab Bridgend
Crime & Law Enforcement Women & Equalities
Context

The question follows the Attorney General's recent visit to CPS Thames and Chiltern regarding stalking cases. The issue of prosecuting domestic abuse is highlighted.

Question

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

Answer from Victoria Prentis

Tackling violence against women and girls is a priority for the Government. I recently visited CPS Thames and Chiltern to hear specifically about the work it is doing to combat stalking. I also heard how the domestic abuse joint justice plan will transform how we investigate this all-too-frequent crime.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide specific steps or actions being taken to increase prosecution rates, focusing instead on general plans and initiatives.

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Q2 Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

Data from the Crown Prosecution Service shows that despite an increase in police referrals, charging rates and prosecutions for domestic abuse have decreased. Local charities supporting victims are raising concerns.

Question

In Bath, the Southside project, Voices, and Somerset and Avon Rape and Sexual Abuse Support support those affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence, but we cannot rely on charities to do the heavy lifting. Does the Attorney General agree that if we want the public to have confidence in the system, increased reporting should lead to increased numbers of prosecutions?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

Yes. It is always difficult to talk with pleasure about increased numbers of prosecutions, because all the survivors of those acts have gone through a horrible event for a prosecution to take place, but I agree with the hon. Lady that it is generally a good sign that prosecution numbers are going up. I am pleased to say that they are going up in her area for adult rape cases. There is more to do on domestic abuse cases, which is why we are focusing specifically on the domestic abuse joint justice plan.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not address whether increased reporting should result in higher prosecution numbers directly; instead it acknowledges difficulties and provides a general commitment without specifics.

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Q3 Chris Elmore Lab Bridgend
Crime & Law Enforcement Women & Equalities
Context

The Online Safety Act was given Royal Assent in the previous year, aimed at protecting women and girls from cyber-flashing, deepfakes, and revenge porn.

Question

Will she set out for the House how many prosecutions have taken place under that new, important piece of legislation that is trying to protect more women and girls from those other forms of violence?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

I am afraid that I do not have to hand specific figures for the hon. Gentleman's constituency under that Act, but I am happy to get them for him. We are confident that it will be possible to bring prosecutions under the Act.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide specific prosecution numbers as requested; instead, it offers a vague commitment to provide information later and expresses confidence in future prosecutions.

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Q4 Bob Neill Con
Justice & Courts
Context

Concerns are raised about delays in cases being heard due to difficulties in obtaining experienced barristers, linked to disparities in legal aid fees between prosecution and defence work.

Question

Does she accept that one of the main drivers of that is the fact that legal aid fees were increased for defence barristers, but prosecution fees have lagged behind? There is a gap of around £500 in the brief fee between prosecuting and defending. Does she agree that we must plug that gap urgently?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

The Chair of the Select Committee is tempting me to step on the firm territory of the Lord Chancellor, as he well knows. However, I would say gently to my hon. and learned Friend that I do not think money is the only reason why it is not always attractive to prosecute RASSO case after RASSO case.

Not addressed: The answer does not address whether legal aid fee disparities contribute to delays or if urgent action should be taken; instead, it discusses other factors and dodges the specific issue raised.

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