Rape Conviction Rates 2021-11-18
2021-11-18
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The CPS has been under pressure to increase the number of successful prosecutions for rape and serious sexual assaults.
What recent discussions have there been with the Crown Prosecution Service on increasing the number of successful prosecutions for (a) rape and (b) serious sexual assault?
The Law Officers regularly meet ministerial colleagues, as well as the Director of Public Prosecutions and others, to drive forward progress on justice for victims. Last week, I met RASSO prosecutors at the CPS west midlands who have secured several recent convictions, including that of Daniel Jones.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide full details about specific discussions or initiatives beyond mentioning meetings and recent convictions.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
A National Audit Office report highlights that rape cases face high risks of collapse due to victims withdrawing, suggesting the government's opposition to Labour's proposals for fast-tracking these cases is detrimental.
Does the Minister agree with the National Audit Office report stating that the Government are failing rape victims who wait years for their cases to be heard and withdraw from the process? Can he explain why the Government opposed Labour's proposals?
There are active measures to pre-record evidence, including 'RASSO 2025', a joint national action plan between police and CPS, an end-to-end rape review, and £80 million investment in the CPS. We aim to speed up the system.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not fully address if the government agrees with NAO report or why they opposed Labour's proposals specifically.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Community safety partnerships in Devon and Cornwall estimate that there were 23,000 victims of sexual assault across the two counties in 2019-20. Local leaders need support to hold criminal justice agencies accountable.
How will the Minister ensure local leaders have powers and tools to hold all criminal justice agencies accountable locally for delivering progress on prosecutions?
Every agency is mobilised to drive improvements. RASSO 2025, joint national action plan, end-to-end review are launched. £80 million investment for recruiting ISVAs and support through the court process is announced.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specifics on powers given to local leaders to hold agencies accountable.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The rape review includes spending on refuge accommodation, but the questioner seeks to know how much new funding is specifically allocated to support rape victims in getting justice.
How much new funding has been secured from the Treasury to support rape victims to get justice?
£27 million is allocated for recruiting 700 ISVAs and IDVAs to support complainants through the court process. An additional £51 million for refuge accommodation, but it's not directly related to improving victims' experience in criminal justice.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not fully address how much funding is allocated specifically for supporting rape victims' access to justice beyond ISVAs and IDVAs.
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Questioner understands that improvements are needed not only in court processing but also in providing support to rape victims before their cases are heard.
What will happen to ensure rape victims have assistance and help from every point of view until their case is heard?
Funding for rape support centres has increased by two thirds. Individuals have access to critical support from ISVAs and IDVAs, and GRASAC provides amazing support in Gloucestershire as evidenced by positive feedback.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not fully address the specific measures for support until cases are heard beyond general statements on availability of support.
Response accuracy
Q6
Direct Answer
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Context
Questioner welcomes the Solicitor General to his place and highlights improvements in treatment of victims, awareness of trauma impact, digital evidence handling, and need for maintaining judicial capacity.
Does he agree with significant improvement in victim treatment after Crown Prosecution Service legal guidance revision? Is it important now to maintain courts system capacity?
Correct balance in digital evidence handling without compromising fair trial rights. Maintaining judicial capacity important, as Lord Chief Justice has pointed out.
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Assessment & feedback
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Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The Prime Minister refused to commit to restoring rape prosecution rates to 2016 levels by the end of this Parliament.
I welcome the Solicitor General to his place. The Prime Minister said that the CPS is not taking rape prosecutions seriously enough and refused to commit to restoring rape prosecution rates to 2016 levels. Does the Solicitor General agree with these comments? Is this another example of victims being abandoned by the Government?
No, that is not the case at all. The additional funding going into the CPS is £80 million, which means there will be an additional 100 RASSO prosecutors. These individuals are motivated and determined.
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Assessment & feedback
The Solicitor General did not directly address whether he agrees with the Prime Minister's comments on CPS handling of rape cases or commitment to restore prosecution rates to 2016 levels.
No, That Is Not The Case At All.
Response accuracy