Asked by: Baroness Jenkin of Kennington (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the recent statement by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Stephen Parkinson, that the Crown Prosecution Service will be reviewing its domestic abuse guidance following the publication of the Policy Exchange report The Crown Prosecution Service’s approach to transgenderism, published on 5 November, what are the timescales for this review; and how will it be reporting.
Answered by Lord Stewart of Dirleton - Advocate General for Scotland
It is important that the public are clear on how the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) will apply the law around domestic abuse so that they can be confident in its approach. As set out by the Director of Public Prosecutions, the CPS has therefore conducted a review of Annex D with a view to recontextualise its purpose and improve clarity.
The revised guidance will be published by the end of this year on the CPS website.
Asked by: Baroness Jenkin of Kennington (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what guidance they have issued for decisions about prosecuting individuals in relation to female genital mutilation offences.
Answered by Lord Keen of Elie
The CPS has legal guidance for all prosecutors dealing with potential cases involving female genital mutilation, which it keeps under review. This guidance has recently been revised to reflect the practical challenges in these cases and to provide clarification on piercing and cosmetic surgery. This was done in consultation with key stakeholders and published in autumn 2019.