Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask the Attorney General, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister of State in response to the Urgent Question of 28 June 2022 on prosecution of incidences of rape, what steps he plans to take to enable more survivors of rape to bring forward a prosecution in the event that the CPS determines the case to be one of the survivors word against the perpetrators.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
This Government is determined to improve support for victims and increase the number of rape cases going to court.
Earlier this year the CPS published their Rape Strategy update confirming their aim to significantly increase year on year the number of rape cases going to court. In each of their RASSO Units their specially trained prosecutors will always look to charge when the Code for Crown Prosecutors is met.
The CPS are also undertaking extensive work to enhance support for rape victims including a ‘digital walk through’ outlining for victims the process of a criminal trial.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask the Attorney General, what steps he plans to take to increase the (a) prosecution and (b) conviction rates from reported cases of rape.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
This Government is determined to increase the number of rape prosecutions and convictions.
The CPS is undertaking extensive work to drive up and improve prosecutions through their Joint National RASSO Action Plan with the police, the Rape Strategy, and the Operation Soteria Pathfinders, which are testing methods for best practice in six CPS Areas.
Since this work commenced there has been a steady increase in the number of rape charges, prosecutions and convictions, quarter on quarter.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask the Attorney General, for what reason does the CPS withdraw its support for rape cases going to full trial after a trial date has been set.
Answered by Lucy Frazer - Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
When deciding whether to prosecute a criminal case, prosecutors must follow the Code for Crown Prosecutors. This is the starting point for every decision they make and requires prosecutors to apply two key tests: the evidential test and the public interest test.
Prosecutors have a continuous duty to review cases, and there are a range of reasons that may mean a case no longer meets the Code test. The most common changes that result in a discontinuance include new undermining evidence, existing evidence being ruled as inadmissible, and victim withdrawal from proceedings.
The CPS is committed to improving victims’ confidence in and experience of the criminal justice process. The CPS is working tirelessly with its cross-government and criminal justice partners to make sure victims are supported from the moment they report a rape or sexual assault through the criminal justice process.