Tories blasted over 'unforgivable' failure to improve support for rape survivors

28 July 2023 , 21:30

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Labour has accused the Government of showing an 'unforgivable' lack of urgency (file image) (Image: Unknown)

Ministers have shown an "unforgivable lack of urgency" improving support to rape survivors, after failing to act on two scathing reports, Labour says.

Last year the Criminal Justice Joint Inspectorate ruled the justice system is "failing to provide a satisfactory level of service to victims of rape". It said a shakeup was urgently needed - but the Government is accused of not "lifting a finger" in the 18 months since.

Shadow Attorney General, Emily Thornberry said: “At a time when we have a record backlog for rape cases going through our court system, ministers should be doing everything possible to support the victims of those attacks, and help them with the trauma they are facing.

"Instead, their response to the recommendations from the Joint Inspectorate shows an inexplicable lack of focus and an unforgivable lack of urgency.

Emily Thornberry has hit out at the Government (Getty Images)

"The Joint Inspectorate said ‘change is needed now’, but a year and half later, ministers have yet to lift a finger on most of their recommendations."

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She said that a Labour Government would bring in specialist rape courts across England and Wales.

Analysis by the party shows several "immediate" recommendations from the CJJI reports have not been acted on.

These include the collaborative use of bad character applications in rape cases and providing victims with the opportunity to make a personal statement.

Sarah Dines, Tory Safeguarding Minister, shot back: “Labour have voted against every tougher sentence we have brought in and Keir Starmer has an appalling record of failing rape victims. As Director of Prosecutions at the Crown Prosecution Service Starmer oversaw a huge drop in the number of sexual offences which were prosecuted and Thornberry criticised his ‘backsliding’ .

“Conservative Governments have increased convictions, increased sentences, reformed our justice system and quadrupled funding to better support victims – making sure that the full force of the law is brought to bear to protect women and girls”.

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Dave Burke