Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 20
20
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 125
Extend Sexual Violence Complainants’ Advocate Scheme pilot to diverse demographic and geographic areas.
Recommendation
The Government should further pilot the Sexual Violence Complainants’ Advocate Scheme, first offered in Northumbria. This pilot should be extended to areas with differing demographic and geographic profiles. This would empower and support complainants to understand better and deal with requests to access third-party material or data from digital devices. We agree with the Criminal Bar Association that the role of any legal advisor would need to be defined in detail in a Code of Practice.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government stated it will continue working with partners to understand and identify improvements in sexual violence and abuse services, including considering strengthening counselling and therapy provision, but did not commit to further piloting the Sexual Violence Complainants’ Advocate Scheme.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
125
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government · verbatim extract
Acknowledged
The Ministry of Justice has consulted on options to enhance legal support or advice for victims of rape or serious sexual assault regarding personal information requests, including police requests for mobile phone downloads and social media records. We launched the consultation in March and distributed a stakeholder survey in early May. The consultation explored current provision and options to strengthen victims’ access to legal advice or support, including the model adopted by the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, as well as options to enhance rape victims’ access to legal support or advice about personal information requests. As part of the consultation, we engaged with a diverse range of stakeholders, including victims’ groups. The consultation concluded in June after a series of small stakeholder events. We are now analysing the outcome of the consultation to determine next steps and will continue to engage with victims’ groups throughout the process.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗