Rape: Prosecutions and Support

Debate between Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top and Lord Bellamy

Tuesday 29th November 2022 Lords Chamber

[Lord Bellamy (Con)]

There are several steps. There is the reference from the police to the CPS, the CPS charging decision, the CPS bringing a case, the delay in the court and so forth. Delays in the court are still a problem and have unfortunately been made worse by the barristers’ strike. Other delays have been reduced. All I can say to the noble Lord is that we are working as hard as we can to address this problem.

[Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top (Lab)]

My Lords, I am concerned that the Minister’s ambition seems to be to get back to the figures from 2016. Those who work with children, young women and women who have been abused, sexually and in other ways, know that the numbers misrepresented the problem that was out there even in 2016. A recent report from Agenda looks particularly at young women. It is searing about the experiences across the board, particularly in ethnic minorities. Unless support is there earlier, those young women and other women will not get near justice. The Government really need to take that into account.

[Lord Bellamy (Con)]

The Government are working as hard as they can. This is a top priority, and I take good note of the noble Baroness’s remarks.