Asked by: Vicky Foxcroft (Labour - Lewisham, Deptford)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, will the proposed Victims and Prisoners Bill consider placing a statutory duty on criminal justice agencies to provide accessible information to disabled victims about their rights and entitlements, pursuant to Right 1 of the Victims’ Charter.
Answered by Laura Farris - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Ministry of Justice) (jointly with Home Office)
This Government is committed to ensuring that all victims are made aware of their entitlements under the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime (‘the Victims’ Code’), and the Victims and Prisoners Bill (‘the Bill’) already takes appropriate steps to require that criminal justice agencies provide accessible information to victims about their rights and entitlements.
The Bill places a statutory duty on criminal justice agencies to raise awareness of the Victims’ Code with victims, which includes those affected by disabilities. Statutory guidance will set out ways this can be done effectively, including how materials can be made more accessible for different individual needs.
The Bill also places the overarching principles of the Victims’ Code into legislation, including the principle that victims should be provided with information to help them understand the criminal justice process.
This principle underlines the existing requirements in the Victims’ Code under Right 1, which entitles victims to be helped to understand what is happening and to be understood. This obliges criminal justice agencies to consider relevant personal characteristics which may affect a victim’s ability to understand or be understood and requires them to communicate in an accessible way. This includes protected characteristics such as disability. To ensure the Code itself is accessible, it is available in a range of formats and languages on GOV.UK, including a HTML version that is compatible with screen reading technology, large print, easy read and British Sign Language.
The Bill also introduces measures to improve support for victims of crime including a duty on Police and Crime Commissioners, local authorities and health bodies to collaborate when commissioning support services for victims of domestic abuse, sexual abuse and other serious violence. Within this, commissioners are required to have regard to the particular needs of those with protected characteristics, including victims who are disabled. In addition, the Bill requires that statutory guidance is published about the roles of Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) and Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs), which will provide the necessary flexibility for these roles to support the individual needs of victims who are disabled. Together these measures recognise the importance of tailored services to meet the diverse needs of victims.
Asked by: Vicky Foxcroft (Labour - Lewisham, Deptford)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the provisions in the Victims and Prisoners Bill to safeguard disabled victims of crime.
Answered by Laura Farris - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Ministry of Justice) (jointly with Home Office)
This Government is committed to ensuring that all victims are made aware of their entitlements under the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime (‘the Victims’ Code’), and the Victims and Prisoners Bill (‘the Bill’) already takes appropriate steps to require that criminal justice agencies provide accessible information to victims about their rights and entitlements.
The Bill places a statutory duty on criminal justice agencies to raise awareness of the Victims’ Code with victims, which includes those affected by disabilities. Statutory guidance will set out ways this can be done effectively, including how materials can be made more accessible for different individual needs.
The Bill also places the overarching principles of the Victims’ Code into legislation, including the principle that victims should be provided with information to help them understand the criminal justice process.
This principle underlines the existing requirements in the Victims’ Code under Right 1, which entitles victims to be helped to understand what is happening and to be understood. This obliges criminal justice agencies to consider relevant personal characteristics which may affect a victim’s ability to understand or be understood and requires them to communicate in an accessible way. This includes protected characteristics such as disability. To ensure the Code itself is accessible, it is available in a range of formats and languages on GOV.UK, including a HTML version that is compatible with screen reading technology, large print, easy read and British Sign Language.
The Bill also introduces measures to improve support for victims of crime including a duty on Police and Crime Commissioners, local authorities and health bodies to collaborate when commissioning support services for victims of domestic abuse, sexual abuse and other serious violence. Within this, commissioners are required to have regard to the particular needs of those with protected characteristics, including victims who are disabled. In addition, the Bill requires that statutory guidance is published about the roles of Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) and Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs), which will provide the necessary flexibility for these roles to support the individual needs of victims who are disabled. Together these measures recognise the importance of tailored services to meet the diverse needs of victims.
Asked by: John Healey (Labour - Wentworth and Dearne)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many cases of (a) sexual assault, (b) sexual harassment and (c) rape have been investigated by the (i) the Royal Military Police and (ii) civilian police forces in connection with reported incidents involving armed forces personnel serving at Royal Navy colleges in the UK.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Statistical information on Murder, Manslaughter, Sexual Offences and Domestic Abuse in the Service Justice System is published by the Department on gov.uk. However, further detail is not held centrally and the answers to these questions could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
The Royal Military Police are the Service Police for the Army. The Royal Navy and Royal Air Force have their own Service Police. The Defence Serious Crime Unit, formed in December 2022, has the jurisdiction to investigate the most serious and complex crimes alleged to have been committed by persons subject to service law in both the UK and overseas, including sexual offences, domestic abuse and offences of violence.
While some information is held by the single Services on crimes reported to and investigated by the Civilian Police, the information recorded is based on that provided by or obtained from the Civilian Police or the subject, therefore the Department is unable to provide official data in this respect.
“Sexual harassment” is not an offence under civil or Armed Forces law, however Defence has made it clear there is zero tolerance to any form of unacceptable sexual behaviour. Under the MOD’s Zero Tolerance Part One (Sexual Offences and Instructor/Trainee Relations) policy, for all Service persons who are convicted of a sexual offence, or who are placed on the Sex Offenders Register there is a mandatory presumption of discharge from the Armed Forces. Similarly, for Zero Tolerance Part Two (Unacceptable Sexual Behaviour – A Victim/Survivor Focused Approach), there is a presumption of discharge for those found in breach of this policy.
Asked by: John Healey (Labour - Wentworth and Dearne)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many cases of (a) sexual assault, (b) sexual harassment and (c) rape have been reported to (i) the Royal Military Police and (ii) civilian police forces by Armed Forces personnel serving at RAF colleges in the UK in each of the last five years.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Statistical information on Murder, Manslaughter, Sexual Offences and Domestic Abuse in the Service Justice System is published by the Department on gov.uk. However, further detail is not held centrally and the answers to these questions could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
The Royal Military Police are the Service Police for the Army. The Royal Navy and Royal Air Force have their own Service Police. The Defence Serious Crime Unit, formed in December 2022, has the jurisdiction to investigate the most serious and complex crimes alleged to have been committed by persons subject to service law in both the UK and overseas, including sexual offences, domestic abuse and offences of violence.
While some information is held by the single Services on crimes reported to and investigated by the Civilian Police, the information recorded is based on that provided by or obtained from the Civilian Police or the subject, therefore the Department is unable to provide official data in this respect.
“Sexual harassment” is not an offence under civil or Armed Forces law, however Defence has made it clear there is zero tolerance to any form of unacceptable sexual behaviour. Under the MOD’s Zero Tolerance Part One (Sexual Offences and Instructor/Trainee Relations) policy, for all Service persons who are convicted of a sexual offence, or who are placed on the Sex Offenders Register there is a mandatory presumption of discharge from the Armed Forces. Similarly, for Zero Tolerance Part Two (Unacceptable Sexual Behaviour – A Victim/Survivor Focused Approach), there is a presumption of discharge for those found in breach of this policy.
Asked by: John Healey (Labour - Wentworth and Dearne)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many cases of (a) sexual assault, (b) sexual harassment and (c) rape have been reported to (i) the Royal Military Police and (ii) civilian police forces by Armed Forces personnel serving at Royal Navy colleges in the UK in each of the last five years.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Statistical information on Murder, Manslaughter, Sexual Offences and Domestic Abuse in the Service Justice System is published by the Department on gov.uk. However, further detail is not held centrally and the answers to these questions could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
The Royal Military Police are the Service Police for the Army. The Royal Navy and Royal Air Force have their own Service Police. The Defence Serious Crime Unit, formed in December 2022, has the jurisdiction to investigate the most serious and complex crimes alleged to have been committed by persons subject to service law in both the UK and overseas, including sexual offences, domestic abuse and offences of violence.
While some information is held by the single Services on crimes reported to and investigated by the Civilian Police, the information recorded is based on that provided by or obtained from the Civilian Police or the subject, therefore the Department is unable to provide official data in this respect.
“Sexual harassment” is not an offence under civil or Armed Forces law, however Defence has made it clear there is zero tolerance to any form of unacceptable sexual behaviour. Under the MOD’s Zero Tolerance Part One (Sexual Offences and Instructor/Trainee Relations) policy, for all Service persons who are convicted of a sexual offence, or who are placed on the Sex Offenders Register there is a mandatory presumption of discharge from the Armed Forces. Similarly, for Zero Tolerance Part Two (Unacceptable Sexual Behaviour – A Victim/Survivor Focused Approach), there is a presumption of discharge for those found in breach of this policy.
Asked by: John Healey (Labour - Wentworth and Dearne)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many cases of (a) sexual assault, (b) sexual harassment and (c) rape have been investigated by the (i) the Royal Military Police and (ii) a civilian police forces in relation to reported incidents involving armed forces personnel serving at Army colleges.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Statistical information on Murder, Manslaughter, Sexual Offences and Domestic Abuse in the Service Justice System is published by the Department on gov.uk. However, further detail is not held centrally and the answers to these questions could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
The Royal Military Police are the Service Police for the Army. The Royal Navy and Royal Air Force have their own Service Police. The Defence Serious Crime Unit, formed in December 2022, has the jurisdiction to investigate the most serious and complex crimes alleged to have been committed by persons subject to service law in both the UK and overseas, including sexual offences, domestic abuse and offences of violence.
While some information is held by the single Services on crimes reported to and investigated by the Civilian Police, the information recorded is based on that provided by or obtained from the Civilian Police or the subject, therefore the Department is unable to provide official data in this respect.
“Sexual harassment” is not an offence under civil or Armed Forces law, however Defence has made it clear there is zero tolerance to any form of unacceptable sexual behaviour. Under the MOD’s Zero Tolerance Part One (Sexual Offences and Instructor/Trainee Relations) policy, for all Service persons who are convicted of a sexual offence, or who are placed on the Sex Offenders Register there is a mandatory presumption of discharge from the Armed Forces. Similarly, for Zero Tolerance Part Two (Unacceptable Sexual Behaviour – A Victim/Survivor Focused Approach), there is a presumption of discharge for those found in breach of this policy.
Asked by: John Healey (Labour - Wentworth and Dearne)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many cases of (a) sexual assault, (b) sexual harassment and (c) rape have been reported to (i) the Royal Military Police and (ii) civilian police forces by Armed Forces personnel serving at Army colleges in each of the last 5 years.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Statistical information on Murder, Manslaughter, Sexual Offences and Domestic Abuse in the Service Justice System is published by the Department on gov.uk. However, further detail is not held centrally and the answers to these questions could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
The Royal Military Police are the Service Police for the Army. The Royal Navy and Royal Air Force have their own Service Police. The Defence Serious Crime Unit, formed in December 2022, has the jurisdiction to investigate the most serious and complex crimes alleged to have been committed by persons subject to service law in both the UK and overseas, including sexual offences, domestic abuse and offences of violence.
While some information is held by the single Services on crimes reported to and investigated by the Civilian Police, the information recorded is based on that provided by or obtained from the Civilian Police or the subject, therefore the Department is unable to provide official data in this respect.
“Sexual harassment” is not an offence under civil or Armed Forces law, however Defence has made it clear there is zero tolerance to any form of unacceptable sexual behaviour. Under the MOD’s Zero Tolerance Part One (Sexual Offences and Instructor/Trainee Relations) policy, for all Service persons who are convicted of a sexual offence, or who are placed on the Sex Offenders Register there is a mandatory presumption of discharge from the Armed Forces. Similarly, for Zero Tolerance Part Two (Unacceptable Sexual Behaviour – A Victim/Survivor Focused Approach), there is a presumption of discharge for those found in breach of this policy.
Asked by: John Healey (Labour - Wentworth and Dearne)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many cases of (a) sexual assault, (b) sexual harassment and (c) rape have been investigated by the (i) the Royal Military Police and (ii) civilian police forces in connection with reported incidents involving armed forces personnel serving at RAF colleges in the UK.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Statistical information on Murder, Manslaughter, Sexual Offences and Domestic Abuse in the Service Justice System is published by the Department on gov.uk. However, further detail is not held centrally and the answers to these questions could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
The Royal Military Police are the Service Police for the Army. The Royal Navy and Royal Air Force have their own Service Police. The Defence Serious Crime Unit, formed in December 2022, has the jurisdiction to investigate the most serious and complex crimes alleged to have been committed by persons subject to service law in both the UK and overseas, including sexual offences, domestic abuse and offences of violence.
While some information is held by the single Services on crimes reported to and investigated by the Civilian Police, the information recorded is based on that provided by or obtained from the Civilian Police or the subject, therefore the Department is unable to provide official data in this respect.
“Sexual harassment” is not an offence under civil or Armed Forces law, however Defence has made it clear there is zero tolerance to any form of unacceptable sexual behaviour. Under the MOD’s Zero Tolerance Part One (Sexual Offences and Instructor/Trainee Relations) policy, for all Service persons who are convicted of a sexual offence, or who are placed on the Sex Offenders Register there is a mandatory presumption of discharge from the Armed Forces. Similarly, for Zero Tolerance Part Two (Unacceptable Sexual Behaviour – A Victim/Survivor Focused Approach), there is a presumption of discharge for those found in breach of this policy.
Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton South)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to help women who have experienced adult sexual exploitation.
Answered by Sarah Dines
The Government is fully committed to protecting victims from, and tackling, the devastating harm associated with adult sexual exploitation.
Adult sexual exploitation can occur across a spectrum of offending, from intimate partner violence, including domestic abuse and rape and sexual violence to serious and organised crime, including human trafficking. These offences are covered under a range of legislation.
Due to the complex nature of adult sexual exploitation, victims can access tailored support across different services depending on the harm they have experienced.
The Home Office is providing £1.36 million over three years to Changing Lives for their Net-Reach project, providing early intervention and targeted support for women and girls at high-risk of commercial online exploitation and the risk on online sexual harm. We are also providing over £180,000 in 2023/24 to Trevi Women to provide support to women with complex and multiple needs, including women seeking to exit on-street prostitution in Plymouth.
The Government funded Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract also provides victims of modern slavery access to safehouse accommodation and a dedicated support worker who provides information on their rights and facilitates access to wider statutory support services, specifically related to the victim’s experience – this can be gender specific, such as assistance with accessing sexual health services as a result of sexual exploitation.
Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will introduce measures to help victims of domestic violence retrieve their possessions safely from their ex-partner's properties in circumstances when the police will not intervene.
Answered by Sarah Dines
It is important that police officers recognise and understand domestic abuse in all its forms. Post-separation abuse is an established risk factor for homicide. The College of Policing authorised professional practice guidance is clear that officers should offer assistance to victims intending to recover property from a residence to ensure this process is carried out safely.
Domestic abuse training plays a crucial role in police officers’ understanding and response to domestic abuse. The specialist Domestic Abuse Matters programme developed by the College of Policing and domestic abuse charities, has been delivered to the majority of forces to date. The Government is also now funding the rollout of the training to those forces who have yet to undertake it. It is, however, crucial that police forces continue to remain updated with domestic abuse training, particularly for new officers.