{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?min-date=2018-11-02&hansardHeading=Rape%3A+Criminal+Proceedings", "definition" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?min-date=2018-11-02&hansardHeading=Rape%3A+Criminal+Proceedings", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?min-date=2018-11-02&_metadata=all&hansardHeading=Rape%3A+Criminal+Proceedings", "first" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=0&min-date=2018-11-02&hansardHeading=Rape%3A+Criminal+Proceedings", "hasPart" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?min-date=2018-11-02&hansardHeading=Rape%3A+Criminal+Proceedings", "isPartOf" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?min-date=2018-11-02&hansardHeading=Rape%3A+Criminal+Proceedings", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1719009", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1719009/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Government has developed a Criminal Justice Dashboard (CJS) Dashboard to bring together data from across the CJS starting at the point at which a crime is recorded by the police, through to completion in the Crown Court. The Dashboard aims to increase transparency, support collaboration and drive improvement at a local level.<\/p>

The dashboard publishes information on the median number of days taken, from a crime being recorded, to reach an investigative outcome, including charges, for offences recorded by the police in England and Wales. These can be broken down by Police Force Area, and by \u2018Victim based crime\u2019, \u2018State based Crime\u2019 and \u2018adult rape offences\u2019. The latest data can be accessed via the Criminal Justice Dashboard, available here:<\/p>

https://cjs-dashboard-production.apps.live.cloud-platform.service.justice.gov.uk/quality-justice/police<\/a><\/p>

The Home Office does not hold information on the time between an arrest and a charge, or on the time between a charge and a trial. However, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) holds information on the average number of days taken from charge to main hearing for rape, fraud, murder, burglary, robbery and drug offences at the Crown Court in i) London and ii) the rest of England. These are provided in the table. Data are not available for Slough and data for domestic abuse are not held centrally by the MoJ.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4503", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Philp"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Croydon South"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Chris Philp"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-05-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "26909"} , {"_value" : "26910"} , {"_value" : "26911"} , {"_value" : "26912"} , {"_value" : "26913"} , {"_value" : "26914"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-05-23T15:46:07.71Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-05-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Rape: Criminal Proceedings"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the average wait time is between (a) arrest and charge and (b) charge and trial for rape cases in (i) London, (ii) the rest of England and (iii) Slough.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4638", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Slough"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi"} ], "uin" : "26908"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1717092", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1717092/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4826", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Laura Farris"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newbury"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Laura Farris"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-05-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-05-24T13:52:06.26Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-05-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Rape: Criminal Proceedings"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average time was for rape cases to be completed in court in each year since 2010.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/193", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Siobhain McDonagh"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Mitcham and Morden"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dame Siobhain McDonagh"} ], "uin" : "25626"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1694459", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1694459/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

We remain committed to addressing the outstanding caseload at the Crown Court and have introduced a raft of measures to speed up justice for victims, such as recruiting up to 1,000 Crown Court judges and tribunal members this financial year, continuing the use of 20 Nightingale courtrooms to increase the capacity of our courts system, and increasing the fees paid to defence and prosecution lawyers by 15% in recognition of the essential work they do in facilitating the administration of justice.<\/p>

As a result of the growth in the outstanding caseload during Covid and the subsequent Criminal Bar Association action, we recognise that there are some cases in the outstanding caseload which are taking longer to progress through the system. While the judiciary already look to prioritise cases involving vulnerable victims and witnesses, the Senior Presiding Judge for England and Wales announced on 6 March 2024 that around 181 rape cases which have been outstanding for more than two years will be listed by the end of July 2024, demonstrating a renewed commitment to tackling the toughest cases still awaiting trial.<\/p>

Alongside this, we are doing more than ever to support victims throughout their criminal justice journey, introducing our 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line, quadrupling victim support funding by 2024/25 compared to 2010, and increasing the number of Independent Sexual and Domestic Violence Advisors (ISVAs and IDVAs) to around 1,000 by 2024/25.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4826", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Laura Farris"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newbury"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Laura Farris"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-03-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-03-15T16:12:23.57Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-03-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Rape: Criminal Proceedings"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will take steps to provide additional funding to help facilitate the hearing of the longest-delayed rape cases; and what steps he is taking to help reduce waiting times for criminal trials.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4638", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Slough"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi"} ], "uin" : "17611"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1653838", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1653838/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The volume of outstanding \u2018for trial\u2019 rape cases at the Crown Court in England and Wales, as at end of June 2020 \u2013 2022 has been provided (as attached).<\/p>

\u2018For trial' cases relates to the case type at the point of receipt into the Crown Court - these are the cases that could go to trial, but they may not necessarily result in a trial (i.e. if a guilty plea is entered).<\/p>

The latest published data is available to March 2023 only.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4362", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Edward Argar"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Charnwood"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Edward Argar"} , "attachment" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1653838/answer/attachment/1", "fileName" : {"_value" : "2023-07-26 PQ 194792 table.xlsx"} , "title" : "Table"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-07-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-07-25T10:10:20.55Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-07-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Rape: Criminal Proceedings"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many rape cases were awaiting trial in the Crown courts in (a) June 2020, (b) June 2021, (c) June 2022 and (d) June 2023.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4638", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Slough"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi"} ], "uin" : "194792"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1490503", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1490503/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Data regarding the number of hearings before plea entry for defendants dealt with for rape offences in \u2018for trial\u2019 cases at the Crown Court can be found in the table below.<\/p>

<\/p>

The latest data is available to the 12 months ending March 2022.<\/p>

<\/p>

Table 1 \u2013 Defendants dealt with for rape offences in \u2018for trial\u2019 cases where a plea was entered and accepted in the Crown Court, England and Wales, 12 months to March 2022

<\/strong><\/p>

Year<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

Total defendants<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

Plea entered at first hearing<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

Plea entered at subsequent hearings<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

Unknown<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Volume of defendants<\/em><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

2019/20<\/p><\/td>

1,509<\/p><\/td>

1,205<\/p><\/td>

234<\/p><\/td>

70<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

2020/21<\/p><\/td>

1,047<\/p><\/td>

797<\/p><\/td>

192<\/p><\/td>

58<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

2021/22<\/p><\/td>

1,925<\/p><\/td>

1,456<\/p><\/td>

354<\/p><\/td>

115<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Percentage (%)<\/em><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

2019/20<\/p><\/td>

100%<\/p><\/td>

80%<\/p><\/td>

16%<\/p><\/td>

5%<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

2020/21<\/p><\/td>

100%<\/p><\/td>

76%<\/p><\/td>

18%<\/p><\/td>

6%<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

2021/22<\/p><\/td>

100%<\/p><\/td>

76%<\/p><\/td>

18%<\/p><\/td>

6%<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

Source:<\/strong> Criminal Court Statistics, Data and Analysis, Ministry of Justice<\/p>

1)<\/p><\/td>

The number of defendants relate to defendants in the cases that were disposed of in the reporting period where a plea was entered, e.g. this excludes instances where no plea was entered.<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

2)<\/p><\/td>

Number of hearings it took for a plea to be entered, including the hearing that it was entered at. \u2018Unknown\u2019 hearings include instances where no hearing information is available.<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

3)<\/p><\/td>

Most serious offence for each defendant. If a defendant is charged with more than one offence in a case the most serious offence will be taken to represent the defendant.<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4369", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Tom Pursglove"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Corby"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Tom Pursglove"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-09-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-09-05T07:30:54.127Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-07-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Rape: Criminal Proceedings"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many and what proportion of trials for rape were delayed by defendants failing to place a plea at the first plea hearing in each of the last three years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4433", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Thangam Debbonaire"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bristol West"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Thangam Debbonaire"} ], "uin" : "39887"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1472621", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1472621/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

We recognise the impact the pandemic has had on timeliness, and the Government is committed to continuing to work to reduce waiting times for victims, witnesses and other court users.<\/p>

Over the next three financial years we are investing an extra £477 million for the Criminal Justice System to help improve waiting times for victims of crime.<\/p>

We have removed the limit on sitting days in the Crown Court for the second year in a row. This means that the courts will continue working at full capacity, delivering swifter justice for victims and reducing the backlog of cases. We are also expanding our plans for judicial recruitment to secure enough capacity to sit at the required levels in 2022/2023 and beyond. We opened two new \u2018super courtrooms\u2019 in Manchester and Loughborough, allowing up to an extra 250 cases a year to be heard across England and Wales.<\/p>

In the magistrates' court, the criminal caseload has fallen from 445,000 in July 2020 to 358,100 in April 2022. The outstanding caseload in the Crown Court has reduced from around 60,700 cases in June 2021 to around 58,300 cases at the end of April 2022.<\/p>

Receipts and disposals by offence group and by Crown Court is already published in the \u2018Crown Court cases received, disposed and outstanding tool<\/a>\u2019. The tool provides quarterly data from 2014 to 2021 by Crown Court and selected offence groups and can be adjusted to establish annual figures.<\/p>

The tool doesn\u2019t include \u2018All rape\u2019 in the list of offence groups so a table (Table 1 attached) has been provided for PQ 23305.<\/p>

Magistrates courts\u2019 information relating to receipts, disposals and outstanding cases is not available by offence type. Identifying the selected offence groups for this PQ would therefore represent disproportionate costs.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4519", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for James Cartlidge"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Suffolk"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "James Cartlidge"} , "attachment" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1472621/answer/attachment/1", "fileName" : {"_value" : "2022-06-27 23305.xlsx"} , "title" : "23305_table"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-06-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "23302"} , {"_value" : "23303"} , {"_value" : "23304"} , {"_value" : "23306"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-06-27T16:43:50.45Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-06-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Rape: Criminal Proceedings"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many rape cases were (a) received and (b) disposed of at every (i) magistrates court and (ii) crown court in England and Wales in each of the last five years for which data is available.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4268", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Steve Reed"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Croydon North"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Steve Reed"} ], "uin" : "23305"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1465208", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1465208/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Individuals who are under investigation for rape may be placed on pre-charge bail when the police consider it necessary and proportionate. Conditions may be attached to this bail and are given with specific reference to factors including to ensure the person does not commit further offences or abscond from police custody. These factors are set out in existing primary legislation. Decisions on whether to bail individuals and which conditions to set against them are operational matters for individual police forces and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Where individuals breach their bail conditions, the police have a power to arrest those individuals.<\/p>

We are delivering actions through the Rape Review to ensure that police investigations are efficient and consider the risks posed by suspects under investigation. This includes supporting delivery of Operation Soteria and funding the policing aspects of the programme which include the dissemination and development of best practice learning to improve the efficiency of investigations.<\/p>

Furthermore, we are working with partners to improve the capabilities of police officers in relation to issues that are relevant to sexual offences. As part of the Policing Education Qualification Framework, all student police officers will receive training to identify the factors that contribute to the vulnerability of victims and witnesses and respond appropriately.<\/p>

Through the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act we are also strengthening the regime to manage sexual offenders and those that pose a risk of sexual harm but have not been convicted. The police may apply to a court for a Sexual Risk Orders (SRO), which can be applied to any individual who poses a risk of sexual harm in the UK or abroad, even if they have never been convicted.<\/p>

An SRO can place a range of restrictions on an individual depending on the nature of the case, such as limiting their internet use or preventing travel abroad. Breach of an SRO is a criminal offence punishable by a maximum of 5 years\u2019 imprisonment.<\/p>

The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 now specifies that the court should apply the lower civil standard of proof (\u2018balance of probabilities\u2019), rather than the criminal standard, when determining whether the individual the application is made in respect of has done the act in question.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4668", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rachel Maclean"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Redditch"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Rachel Maclean"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-05-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-05-30T15:52:22.517Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-05-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Rape: Criminal Proceedings"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that people who are under investigation for rape are monitored to prevent (a) further attacks and (b) evasion of justice.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4131", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jim Shannon"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Strangford"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jim Shannon"} ], "uin" : "7986"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1451732", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1451732/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Timeliness estimates for defendants dealt with at the magistrates\u2019 courts and Crown Courts for selected offences and geographic breakdowns can be found in the attached table.<\/p>

<\/p>

Estimates of timeliness from offence to completion are taken from the point of offence occurring to the eventual completion of a case at court. Reporting and recording of non-recent offences can have an adverse impact, especially for mean estimates and for sexual offences which can be reported months and years after the offence occurred. As such caution should be taken when drawing conclusions from granular breakdowns by offence and geographic location which may be based on very few and even single cases, and therefore show marked variations.<\/p>

<\/p>

The pandemic is the primary cause of the increased caseload in our courts. Prior to the pandemic, the outstanding caseload had reduced significantly, from over 55,000 in late 2014 to c.33,000 in late 2018. The Government is committed to supporting the recovery of the courts. We have extended 30 Nightingale courtrooms beyond the end of March 2022 and removed the limit on the number of days the Crown Court can sit in the 2021/22 financial year. To secure enough capacity to sit at the required levels in 2022/23 and beyond we are expanding our plans for judicial recruitment.<\/p>

To provide additional capacity in the Crown Courts we are extending magistrates\u2019 court sentencing powers from 6 to 12 months\u2019 imprisonment for a single Triable Either Way offence to allow more cases to be heard in the magistrates\u2019 court and help to drive down the backlog of cases over the coming years.<\/p>

<\/p>

These measures are already working, and as a result we expect to get through 20% more Crown Court cases in the next financial year than we did pre-Covid. Following an increase in funding as part of the Ministry of Justice\u2019s Spending Review settlement, we aim to reduce the number of outstanding cases in the Crown Court to 53,000 by March 2025.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4519", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for James Cartlidge"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Suffolk"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "James Cartlidge"} , "attachment" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1451732/answer/attachment/1", "fileName" : {"_value" : "2022-03-21 141199 141200 141201 table.xlsx"} , "title" : "141199_141200_141201_table"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-03-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "141199"} , {"_value" : "141200"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-03-28T09:54:35.463Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-03-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Rape: Criminal Proceedings"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what was the (a) mean and (b) median number of days taken from offence to completion of rape cases for (i) Crown and (ii) Magistrates Court in England and Wales, by (A) individual court and (B) region for each of the last three years for which figures are available.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4268", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Steve Reed"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Croydon North"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Steve Reed"} ], "uin" : "141201"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1349562", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1349562/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

In the recently published end-to-end rape review the Government set out its position that victims of rape should feel confident that only data that is relevant to their investigation will be taken from their digital devices.<\/p>

We will enable this by providing strong protections for victims\u2019 most sensitive personal information in law, enabled by the appropriate technology.<\/p>

The information extraction clauses under Chapter 3 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill will ensure that only information that is necessary and proportionate for an investigation is asked for from a victim.<\/p>

The Code of Practice that will accompany the PCSC Bill provides detailed guidance on when and how these powers should be used. The code makes clear that device users have the right to refuse, and it also contains specific guidance on the use of the powers with victims who may be vulnerable due to the trauma they may have experienced and who may need more support.<\/p>

However, legislation is only part of the solution. Whilst there are some promising new technologies, existing data extraction technology does not always provide the ability to limit appropriately what is being taken from a digital device.<\/p>

To directly tackle this challenge, we will be bringing the Criminal Justice System and industry together through a joint Ministerial led technology summit to develop rapid, innovative, technological solutions. With digital evidence increasing in volume and prevalence, it is vital that we harness technology to find solutions to challenges in capacity and in our capability to effectively extract, analyse and review only relevant data from digital devices in a way which fast and not intrusive for the victim,<\/p>

Using the Summit to identify innovative solutions, we will work with the policing sector to trial technologies through via Operation Soteria to identify where innovations can be scaled up at pace to make a difference for victims. The Summit will also build valuable, sustainable partnerships to ensure we continue to innovate, at pace, as threats and challenges evolve.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4495", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kit Malthouse"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North West Hampshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Kit Malthouse"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-09-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "38221"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-09-10T09:24:35.117Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2021-07-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Rape: Criminal Proceedings"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Home Department, with reference to page 53 of the 2020-21 annual Victims Commissioner Report published on 21 July 2021, how she plans to create confidence and trust in the Criminal Justice System for rape victims who are considering reporting an offence.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1583", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ms Lyn Brown"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "West Ham"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Ms Lyn Brown"} ], "uin" : "38222"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1342402", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1342402/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

As part of the recently published End-to-End Rape Review Report on Findings and Actions, the Government announced that the Law Commission has agreed to examine the law, guidance and practice relating to the use of evidence in prosecutions of serious sexual offences and consider the need for reform. The project will likely consider issues including the way rape myths are tackled as part of the court process. As set out in that Report, the Government is committed to implementing the findings of the Law Commission within 12-24 months.<\/p>

<\/p>

In addition to this work, and as also set out in the Rape Review report, the CPS has recently, following consultation, updated its rape legal guidance to include more content on rape myths and stereotypes, and prosecutors are being trained on this updated guidance to ensure they do not adversely affect decision-making. In addition, recognising that communication has a role to play in changing harmful societal attitudes that lead to rape myths and stereotypes, the Government is working to develop a campaign to create long-term behaviour change.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4495", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kit Malthouse"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North West Hampshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Kit Malthouse"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-07-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-07-08T16:14:25.673Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2021-06-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Rape: Criminal Proceedings"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to page 48 of The End-to-End Rape Review Report on Findings and Actions, published on 17 June 2021, what steps he is taking to ensure victim credibility is not undermined by rape myths and their influence on the court room.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1583", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ms Lyn Brown"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "West Ham"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Ms Lyn Brown"} ], "uin" : "24931"} ], "itemsPerPage" : 10, "next" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=1&min-date=2018-11-02&hansardHeading=Rape%3A+Criminal+Proceedings", "page" : 0, "startIndex" : 1, "totalResults" : 25, "type" : ["http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#ListEndpoint", "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#Page"]} }