Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Supporting Victims of Rape and Sexual Violence

Tuesday 5 November 2024 · 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 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministry of Justice funds over 60 specialist support services for victims of rape and sexual offending.
  • Government excluded the most serious domestic abuse offenders from the early release scheme.
  • Government allocated a record 1.2 billion for prison building in the Budget.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Dan Aldridge Lab Weston-super-Mare
Justice & Courts Mental Health
Context

The question addresses the need to support victims of rape and sexual violence as they go through the criminal justice system.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to support victims of rape and sexual violence through the criminal justice system. I am concerned about the impact on victims, especially with an increase in prosecutions leading to more victims reliving their traumatic experiences during trials.

Answer from Alex Davies-Jones

The Ministry of Justice funds over 60 specialist support services for victims of rape and sexual offending as well as dedicated victim support through the witness service. Court personnel provide support during and after hearings, and we have invested in trauma-informed training to improve the victim experience throughout court. Rape and serious sexual offence victims can also request transcripts of sentencing remarks for free during a one-year pilot.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specifics on how her Department is working to support victims experiencing difficult trial processes beyond general statements about existing services.

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Q2 Dan Aldridge Lab Weston-super-Mare
Justice & Courts NHS
Context

The question addresses the need to support victims of rape and sexual violence as they go through the criminal justice system, especially in relation to Project Bluestone.

Question

Avon and Somerset police pioneered a new way of investigating rape and sexual violence called Project Bluestone which led to an increase in rape prosecutions. While this is welcome, more victims are reliving their traumatic experiences during trials. Will the Minister outline how her Department is working to provide support to these victims?

Answer from Alex Davies-Jones

The Ministry of Justice funds over 60 specialist support services for victims of rape and sexual offending as well as dedicated victim support through the witness service. Court personnel provide support during and after hearings, and we have invested in trauma-informed training to improve the victim experience throughout court.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not address how her Department is working specifically with victims experiencing difficult trial processes beyond general statements about existing services.

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Q3 Caroline Dinenage Con Gosport
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

The question addresses the number of serious offenders released under the early release scheme and their reoffending rates.

Question

How many criminals convicted of rape, sexual abuse, domestic abuse, and domestic violence are now back on our streets as a result of her Department's early release scheme?

Answer from Alex Davies-Jones

The Government excluded the most serious domestic abuse offenders from SDS40, an exemption not made under the previous Government's end-of-custody supervised licence scheme. All data on releases will be published as usual by the Lord Chancellor.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific numbers or reoffending rates for serious offenders released under the early release scheme.

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Q4 Robert Jenrick Reform Newark
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

The question addresses the number of serious offenders released under the early release scheme and their reoffending rates, as well as building more prisons.

Question

How many domestic abusers and sex offenders released under the Labour Government's early release scheme have gone on to reoffend?

Answer from Alex Davies-Jones

Under the previous Government's ECSL scheme, there were zero exemptions to protect the public. This Government put in serious exemptions to prevent sex offenders and serious violent criminals from being released on to our streets.

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific numbers or reoffending rates for serious offenders released under the early release scheme.

How: Changed Subject Entirely Without Addressing The Question

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Q5 Robert Jenrick Reform Newark
Justice & Courts
Context

The question addresses the need for building more prisons to house criminals and protect public safety.

Question

What funding has the Lord Chancellor secured to build prisons over and above those secured by the previous Government?

Answer from Alex Davies-Jones

The Government have allocated a record £1.2 billion for prison building in the Budget, and we will be going further. We are the party of law and order. He needs to look at his record.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific details on how much funding was allocated over and above that secured by the previous Government.

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