Rape: Criminal Prosecutions
Debate between Victoria Atkins and Lord Cryer(2 years, 4 months ago)
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Victoria Atkins
There are many ways in which we can support victims. One is through specialist support such as ISVAs and the victims charities that do such a vital job of working with women and victims of sexual violence. Another thing that we are in the process of setting up is a 24/7 support line for victims of sexual violence, and I am extremely grateful to Rape Crisis for its help on this. We are testing it carefully over the next couple of months to ensure that we understand when peaks and flows will necessitate proper staffing, but we are absolutely committed to providing those services so that victims can get the help they need when they need it.
John Cryer (Leyton and Wanstead) (Lab)
On the basis of what the Minister said earlier, will the number of rape prosecutions be doubled by the end of this Parliament?
Victoria Atkins
We have measured it very carefully and we have committed to doubling the number of cases received in the Crown court by the end of this Parliament. This is a work in progress.