Select committee: Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 8
Eighth Report - Investigation and prosecution of rape
Published 12 Apr 2022
Paragraph 69
Addressed to Home Office
Home Affairs Committee Investigation and prosecution of rape All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Recommendation (the committee's words)
The provision of specialist support to victims and survivors of rape is vital, given the devastating impact of sexual violence and the difficulties complainants face during the investigation and prosecution process. The Government’s research into what rape victims need from support services is to be welcomed. This should take into account the different needs of different victims and survivors, for example, those who are deaf and disabled, and Black and minority ethnic victims and survivors, who can be supported more effectively by dedicated by and for services. We look forward to the outcome of the Victims’ Bill consultation and introduction of the legislation in the next parliamentary Session. We urge the Government to ensure that the commissioning principles and funding models set out are truly long-term and sustainable.
From: Home Affairs Committee, Eighth Report - Investigation and prosecution of rape (HC 193), paragraph 69, 12 April 2022
Government response
The government responded to the whole report on 25 July 2022 (deadline 12 June 2022).
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The government's response to the Committee's report says it has made "important progress" under its Rape Review Action Plan, and it agrees with some recommendations while stating that others are for Chief Constables, the judiciary or ongoing work to determine.
- On governance, it "welcome[s] and agree[s]" with the recommendation to write to the Committee every six months, in line with the cycle of Rape Review Progress Update publications.
- On specialist police rape teams, it "agrees that specialism is crucial" but says Chief Constables "remain best placed to make decisions about the local deployment of resources".
- On a sexual violence commissioner, it recognises "there may be benefits", says the Home Office and Ministry of Justice are considering the recommendation, and will "update the Committee on progress in due course".
- On Operation Soteria, it commits £5m this year, with a national operating model for rape investigation "by June 2023", though adoption "will be a decision for operationally independent forces".