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Whole Day Download the Hansard Tuesday Volume 675 28 April 2020 No. 51 HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) Tuesday 28 April 2020 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2020 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 193 28 APRIL 2020 194 prosecutors to prioritise the most serious cases, what House of Commons assurances can the Attorney General provide that domestic abuse cases will fall into that category? Tuesday 28 April 2020 The Attorney General: I thank the hon. Lady for her considerable work on this subject and her courage in The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock speaking out about this matter. I myself represented victims of domestic abuse during my time as a lawyer. I have seen how devastating it can be, and I share her goal PRAYERS in wanting to eliminate this scourge from our society. I am very concerned about the rise in domestic abuse [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] offending during lockdown. This is a difficult time for those who may be living with their abuser. That is why The House entered into hybrid scrutiny proceedings the Government have invested an extra £2 million at the (Order, 22 April). frontline for online services and phone lines so that [NB: [V] denotes a Member participating virtually.] there is help 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for those victims who need it. Nick Smith: It is vital that cases of domestic violence Oral Answers to Questions are properly prosecuted during this covid-19 crisis. To avoid delays in prosecution, are the Government taking the necessary steps to enable the most serious cases to ATTORNEY GENERAL be heard through virtual court hearings where necessary? The Attorney General: The hon. Gentleman makes a The Attorney General was asked— very important point. We need to go as far as we possibly can to support vulnerable victims throughout the court Covid-19: Domestic Violence process. The CPS is at the forefront of implementing section 28 pre-recorded cross-examination, which aims Carolyn Harris (Swansea East) (Lab): What discussions to allow vulnerable victims to give evidence in advance she has had with the Director of Public Prosecutions on of trial so that they can have a better experience of the the capacity of the Crown Prosecution Service to investigate process. I encourage him to look closely at the Domestic the increase in domestic violence cases during the covid-19 Abuse Bill, which contains considerable provisions to outbreak. [901896] protect vulnerable witnesses throughout the court process. Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab): What discussions Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con) [V]: I congratulate she has had with the Director of Public Prosecutions on my right hon. and learned Friend on her new post; I am the capacity of the Crown Prosecution Service to investigate sure that she will do an excellent job. the increase in domestic violence cases during the covid-19 With 100 arrests a day for alleged domestic violence outbreak. [901900] in London alone, clearly the problem is getting worse. What action can my right hon. and learned Friend take Mr Speaker: I call the Attorney General to answer to ensure that the victims of domestic abuse feel safe to the substantive question tabled by Carolyn Harris. May give evidence against the perpetrators? At the moment, I welcome the Attorney General to her new role? they fear reprisals and are not in a safe position. Congratulations. The Attorney General: This is an important point. A The Attorney General (Suella Braverman): Thank you, range of protections is available for victims so that they Mr Speaker. can give evidence in such situations. Prosecutors can I congratulate the shadow Solicitor General, the hon. apply for special measures, including a screen, or for Member for Lewisham West and Penge (Ellie Reeves), evidence to be given via video link, so that victims do on her appointment, and the shadow Attorney General, not need to have contact with their abuser in the trial Lord Falconer, on his. I look forward to constructive process. debate with both of them, hopefully in the same room at some point. Edward Timpson (Eddisbury) (Con) [V]: It cannot be There is no doubt whatsoever that this Government emphasised enough how important it is that victims of take domestic abuse and the pain that it causes extremely domestic abuse get the support that they need during seriously, and that is especially the case at this time. The this very difficult time. Does my right hon. and learned Crown Prosecution Service is wholly committed to ensuring Friend agree that this often-hidden scourge, which affects that the perpetrators of this horrendous crime face children as well as adults, must be a priority for the justice and that victims are supported through what is Government at all times, as is demonstrated by the often a very traumatic process. commitments in the Domestic Abuse Bill? Carolyn Harris [V]: Calls to the national domestic The Attorney General: My hon. Friend speaks with abuse helpline have increased by almost 50%, and 16 deaths authority about child safeguarding, based on his practice of women and children were linked to domestic violence as a barrister and his time in government as a Minister. in the first three weeks of lockdown. With the CPS issuing These crimes are abhorrent, and those who commit new guidance as a result of the pandemic that advises them must not be let off the hook. Today, the landmark 195 Oral Answers 28 APRIL 2020 Oral Answers 196 Domestic Abuse Bill returns to the Commons for its The Attorney General: I thank my hon. Friend for his Second Reading. I am very proud to have personally extensive work on that case. He has been indefatigable supported this landmark legislation that provides support— in seeking a resolution for his constituent—of that legal and otherwise—for victims of domestic abuse, there is no doubt. Unfortunately, I cannot comment on including children, so that we as a nation take a step the details of the case, because the Serious Fraud Office further towards eliminating domestic abuse. is undertaking criminal investigations into the affairs of GPT and Saudi Arabia, which have taken some time Ellie Reeves (Lewisham West and Penge) (Lab) [V]: I because of the significant complexity involved. However, congratulate the Attorney General on her appointment; I would like to reassure my hon. Friend, because upon likewise, I look forward to a constructive working my appointment to this job, that case was one of the relationship with her. first matters, if not the first, to cross my desk, so it is a Charities and police forces across the country anticipated priority for me and I will not rest until we find an a rise in domestic abuse during the lockdown. Indeed, appropriate resolution. the Met is currently arresting an average of 100 people a day, with charges and cautions up 24%. Devastatingly, Bambos Charalambous (Enfield, Southgate) (Lab): domestic abuse killings doubled in the first three weeks Five thousand suspicious emails were reported to the of lockdown. Meanwhile, in January, a report by the National Cyber Security Centre just one day after the Crown Prosecution Service inspectorate stated that launch of its Cyber Aware campaign earlier this month, the domestic abuse case load for both the CPS and with a huge growth in malicious emails offering fake police had increased by 88%, against the backdrop of a coronavirus-related services. Can the Attorney General 25% reduction in funding, therefore stretching prosecutors’ tell me how prepared the CPS is to deal with prosecuting workload and forcing them to make difficult decisions online fraud and scams during the coronavirus emergency? about priorities. I am extremely grateful for what the AG has said, but I urge her to significantly increase The Attorney General: The hon. Gentleman is absolutely funding— right to raise this point, and I recognise the increased risk posed by scammers and fraudsters at this time of Mr Speaker: Order. We have to bring in the Attorney crisis. Sadly, there are those who will seek to exploit the General. vulnerable at this time. We are leading several initiatives in this area, such as working with the technology industry, The Attorney General: I am acutely concerned by the to shut down any vulnerabilities that fraudsters might rise in domestic abuse offences in lockdown, and I want exploit and to ensure that the public have the knowledge to make two points. First, the Domestic Abuse Bill, so that they can spot scams and stand up to fraudsters. which returns to the Commons today, will involve the allocation of £3.1 million to services supporting children who witness domestic abuse in the house during lockdown. Sir David Evennett (Bexleyheath and Crayford) (Con) Secondly, I want to take this opportunity to let victims [V]: I appreciate all the work my right hon. and learned out there—men and women—know that they do not Friend is doing in her new job at this difficult time. have to suffer in silence. There is support for them if Naturally, there is real concern about crime, particularly they seek it. Please pick up the phone and dial 999; fraud against the elderly. How is the CPS tackling cases press 55 if you cannot speak. Use the national domestic of covid-19-related fraud? abuse helpline. Crucially, please know that if you want to flee your abuser—if you want to leave the home—you The Attorney General: This is an important issue. will not be breaking coronavirus regulations. You will not Sadly, criminals are looking to take advantage of the be breaking the law if you seek help outside.
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