Contributions
647 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDVictims and Prisoners Bill (Second sitting)Q I will start by asking each of you to talk briefly about what you think of the Bill, and the Government’s definition of “victim” set out in it. Gabrielle Shaw: This is my…20 Jun 2023HANSARDVictims and Prisoners Bill (Second sitting)Q Can you expand on the child criminal exploitation element? Do you feel that there is a need to have a statutory duty in the Bill on child criminal exploitation? Duncan Craig:…20 Jun 2023HANSARDVictims and Prisoners Bill (Second sitting)Yes—and a definition. Duncan Craig: I get a bit nervous around this particular subject, because no matter where I have worked—whether it is the past 15 years within my…20 Jun 2023HANSARDVictims and Prisoners Bill (Second sitting)Q Okay. Does anyone else want to comment on the importance of having a statutory definition of child criminal exploitation? Gabrielle Shaw: I am not—20 Jun 2023HANSARDVictims and Prisoners Bill (Second sitting)Q Rachel, do you think that the role of the Victims’ Commissioner should be strengthened? Rachel Almeida: Definitely. It should be at least on a par with the Domestic Abuse…20 Jun 2023HANSARDVictims and Prisoners Bill (Second sitting)Q Would that, or the Bill, do anything to change the fact that on average, 706 days elapse from the date of reporting an offence to the police to the start of the trial? Jan…20 Jun 2023HANSARDVictims and Prisoners Bill (Second sitting)Q What difference do you think that will make to victims and victims’ experiences? Rachel Almeida: It is enabling the Victims’ Commissioner to be that champion for victims and…20 Jun 2023HANSARDVictims and Prisoners Bill (Second sitting)Q Do you feel that that is about commissioner oversight being strengthened? Duncan Craig: Absolutely, and not just locally either, but nationally. There is something about…20 Jun 2023HANSARDVictims and Prisoners Bill (Second sitting)Q Before I finish and we move on, we have parts 2 and 3 of the Bill, with part 3 put in at relatively late notice and little consultation. Do you have anything to say about part…20 Jun 2023HANSARDVictims and Prisoners Bill (Second sitting)Q Jan, could you start by telling the Committee what you think of the Bill and whether you think it includes all categories of victims? Jan Lamping: The CPS is very positive about…20 Jun 2023HANSARDVictims and Prisoners Bill (Second sitting)We have been waiting eight years for it. Rachel Almeida: I feel like the level of scrutiny given to the first part has not been allowed for the other two parts. We obviously…20 Jun 2023HANSARDVictims and Prisoners Bill (First sitting)Q You have touched on several things there. Can you expand on the advice and support that are lacking as rape victims go through the process, and on what you would advise should…20 Jun 2023HANSARDVictims and Prisoners Bill (First sitting)Q Welcome, everybody. First, can I turn to Jayne Butler? Your report on what has changed since the Government’s end-to-end rape review, “The Rape Review—Two Years On”, has been…20 Jun 2023HANSARDVictims and Prisoners Bill (First sitting)Q What is your opinion on the relatively late addition of part 3 on prisoners? How in your view does that affect the Bill? Claire Waxman: I think it has a huge impact on the Bill.…20 Jun 2023HANSARDVictims and Prisoners Bill (First sitting)Jayne, can you tell the Committee what you think the Bill will do to tackle the historic low rates of rape prosecutions? Can you set out what you have said in your report today?…20 Jun 2023HANSARDVictims and Prisoners Bill (First sitting)Q Rachel, do you believe that the duty to collaborate should include child victims of crime? Dame Rachel de Souza: Absolutely. I have been a big supporter of the Bill. I have to…20 Jun 2023HANSARDVictims and Prisoners Bill (First sitting)Q Should that duty include other victims of crime? Jayne Butler: Potentially, yes. It is not necessarily my area.20 Jun 2023HANSARDVictims and Prisoners Bill (First sitting)Q We have seen part 3 come into the Bill at a late stage, so it includes victims and prisoners. In your view, does this detract from the main elements? Can you comment on what the…20 Jun 2023HANSARDVictims and Prisoners Bill (First sitting)Q Just looking at the duty on specific authorities to collaborate with each other and commission victim support services, do you think that the duty will deliver a more effective…20 Jun 2023HANSARDVictims and Prisoners Bill (First sitting)Q Can you give a little more detail on independent legal advice for rape victims, and how you would see it working? Jayne Butler: Sure. We would like to see a national hub…20 Jun 2023