Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to encourage people to report incidences of sexual assault and violence.

The Government is committed to tackling sexual violence and wants victims to have the confidence to report these crimes, knowing they will get the support they need and that everything will be done to bring offenders to justice.

In March 2022 we launched a national communications campaign, Enough, the first phase of which targeted and challenged harmful behaviours, educated young people about healthy relationships and ensured victims can recognise abuse and access support. The first phase of the campaign drove 450,000 clicks to the campaign website.

We are also improving the experience of victims that report sexual violence, by investing £9.4 million in Operation Soteria to develop a National Operating Model for the investigation of rape, which all police forces in England and Wales are now implementing. We are also investing over £10 million to support police acquire the capabilities they need to analyse victim's mobile devices quickly and at a time and location convenient to them.

Furthermore, the Victims and Prisoners Bill, includes measures to help ensure victims know their entitlements, from emotional support to the right to ask for special measures in court, and recognise Independent Sexual Violence Advisers in law. We are also supporting victims through the 24/7 Rape and Sexual Violence Crisis helpline, funded by the Ministry of Justice, which provides victims with ready access to specialist operators who can provide victims with vital information and emotional support. The Home Office has also doubled the value of the Sexual Violence Support Fund to £400k per annum in 2023-5.