To match an exact phrase, use quotation marks around the search term. eg. "Parliamentary Estate". Use "OR" or "AND" as link words to form more complex queries.

Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest developments by exploring our subscription options to receive notifications direct to your inbox

Written Question
Sexual Offences: Victim Support Schemes
Tuesday 22nd April 2025

Asked by: Alex Brewer (Liberal Democrat - North East Hampshire)

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help improve the experiences of rape and sexual assault victims in the criminal justice system.

Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

The Government was elected with a landmark mission to halve violence against women and girls (VAWG) in the next decade. Ministers from a wide range of relevant Government departments regularly meet to ensure we are using all available levers to achieve this, and we will publish our cross-government strategy this summer.

We are already taking action to improve the experiences of victims of domestic and sexual abuse by:

  • Launching Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs) in selected areas to provide more protection for victims;
  • Introducing specialist rape and sexual offence teams in every police force, and domestic abuse experts in 999 rooms;
  • Introducing free Independent Legal Advisers for victims of adult rape, so that victims better understand their legal rights; and
  • Ensuring every CPS area has at least one dedicated Victim Liaison Officer in its RASSO unit, to improve victim communications.