Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Heidi Alexander and Manuela Perteghella

Tuesday 10th September 2024 Commons Chamber

[Manuela Perteghella (Stratford-on-Avon) (LD)]

Will the Secretary of State ensure that measures are put in place in the criminal justice system to support survivors of violence against women and girls, including mandatory training for prosecutors on understanding the impact of trauma on survivors and the release of court transcripts for free for victims of rape?

[Heidi Alexander]

The hon. Lady may know that we currently offer free transcripts of judges’ sentencing remarks to families of victims of fatal road offences, murder and manslaughter. In May, we extended free transcripts of sentencing remarks to victims of rape and serious sexual offences, in a year-long pilot. We will continue to look at how we can lower the costs of obtaining a court transcript.