Criminal Justice Review: Response to Rape Debate

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Department: Home Office

Criminal Justice Review: Response to Rape

Felicity Buchan Excerpts
Tuesday 25th May 2021

(2 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Felicity Buchan Portrait Felicity Buchan (Kensington) (Con)
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One of the issues in securing convictions is proving lack of consent. As my hon. Friend has said, it is often one person’s word against the other person’s. Would he consider working with the Crown Prosecution Service and the police to establish guidelines as to how to prove consent or lack thereof?

Kit Malthouse Portrait Kit Malthouse
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My hon. Friend raises a critical issue, which, as she says, is at the heart of so many of these investigations. I know that, as part of their joint action plan, the police and the CPS will be looking at exactly such issues to ensure that there is consistency and, frankly, that they can get the right kind of result in court.