Rachel has called on the Government to pass the Victims’ Bill into law as soon as possible.
It’s in response to former Metropolitan Police officer, David Carrick, pleading guilty to 49 offences against 12 women across two decades.
Rachel made the call for parliamentary time to be found for the Victims’ Bill to be debated and voted on in a question to the Home Secretary in the House of Commons last week.
Rachel said:
“David Carrick’s heinous crimes highlights the lengths to which that monster would go, and the challenge for those victims to come forward.
“It also stressed the vital need for the Government to bring forward the Victims Bill, to strengthen the support of the criminal justice system for those women, provide better support, and beef up the role of independent sexual violence advisers.
“I look forward to working with Ministers to find parliamentary time for this Bill so we can make it law as soon possible.”
In response to Rachel’s question, Home Secretary Suella Braverman said:
“I pay tribute to my Honourable Friend for the ground-breaking work she did when she was in government to support women and girls and their safety.
“She is absolutely right, and that is why my Right Honourable Friend the Lord Chancellor and Deputy Prime Minister is committed to introducing the Victims’ Bill.
“I am particularly supportive of increasing the number of independent sexual violence advisers and independent domestic violence advisers as they have made a huge difference to the experience of victims going through the criminal justice system. They can make the difference between a victim withdrawing and a victim persisting and reaching a conviction.
“I therefore think that, yes, putting through more resources and introducing important legislation is vital.”
