Written questions by Champion.

In what proportion of cases in which an applicant to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme had a criminal conviction did the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority apply discretion in (a) 2020, (b) 2021, (c) 2022, (d) 2023, (e) 2024 and (f) 2025.

The table below shows the number and proportion of resolved applications in each calendar year where the applicant had an unspent conviction and the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) applied discretion to make an award.Calendar year of decisionResolved applications where the applicant had an unspent conviction and the CICA applied discretion to make an award2020315 (1.1% of total resolved applications)2021269 (0.9% of total resolved applications)2022277 (0.8% of total resolved applications)2023265 (0.7% of total resolved applications)2024254 (0.7% of total resolved applications)2025 (to date)97 (0.7% of total resolved applications) The above information relates to applications made to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 (the Scheme) only.We cannot provide the total number of applications where the applicant had an unspent conviction. This information is only recorded where the unspent conviction results in a refusal decision or a reduced award.Annex D to the Scheme provides that an award will not be made to an applicant with an unspent conviction of a prescribed type. Where the applicant has an unspent conviction of a different type, Annex D provides that an award will be withheld or reduced unless there are exceptional reasons not to withhold or reduce it.

What training is available for family court judges on child sexual abuse.

The Lady Chief Justice has statutory responsibility for the training of the courts judiciary in England and Wales, which is exercised through the Judicial College. The judiciary and professional staff in the College are responsible for the design, content and delivery of judicial training. All judicial office holders receive induction training on appointment and before sitting in a new jurisdiction and complete regular continuation training thereafter. Training on child sexual abuse is integral to judicial training in public and private family law, including dealing with allegations of child sexual abuse and how best to receive evidence from children and young people in a way which seeks to minimise distress whilst protecting the integrity of the court process. Family magistrates and their legal advisers also complete training in child sexual abuse and other forms of domestic abuse.

What steps she is taking to improve data capture on the (a) number of private law proceedings that involve allegations of child sexual abuse and (b) outcomes of these cases.

HM Courts and Tribunals Service will be introducing a new case management system for private law children‘s cases, Manage Cases. This system will identify each type of abuse or harm allegation made by an applicant, including child sexual abuse. This will support data capture of the number of proceedings in which child sexual abuse is a factor and the outcome of these cases. The national roll out of the new digital system is expected to begin later this year.

How many private law cases where child sexual abuse was alleged to have been perpetrated by a parent was that parent granted residence in (a) 2022-23 and (b) 2023-24.

The requested information is not recorded centrally. The relevant data could only be obtained by an analysis of individual case files at disproportionate cost.

Pursuant to the Answer of 18 March 2025 to Question 36654 on Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel, how many private family law proceedings (a) involved allegations of child sexual abuse and (b) resulted in the child coming into contact with the alleged abuser again in 2022-23.

The requested information is not recorded centrally. The relevant data could only be obtained by an analysis of individual case files at disproportionate cost.

Pursuant to the Answer of 18 March 2025 to Question 36655, on Sexual Offences: Crown Court, what further action her Department plans to take after 28 May 2025, when the pilot scheme will have operated for one year.

Since May 2024, the Ministry of Justice has been running a one-year pilot to enable victims of rape and sexual offences, whose cases were heard at the Crown Court, to request a copy of the judge’s sentencing remarks free of charge.The Ministry of Justice is currently assessing the impacts of this pilot to inform decisions on future provision. This includes considering the value of these transcripts to victims based on victim survey (or feedback from victims), impacts on the judiciary and the cost implications of the policy.

With reference to the report by the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel entitled Protecting Children and Responding the Child Sexual Abuse within the Family Environment, published in November 2024, what steps she is taking in the context of the findings of that report on child sexual abuse in private family law proceedings.

Child sexual abuse is among the most vile and damaging of crimes, which is why at the King’s Speech we committed to restricting parental responsibility for perpetrators sentenced for child sex offences. The Government is focused on delivering meaningful change for victims impacted by these horrendous crimes, including within the Family Court.The Panel’s report highlighted specific recommendations for the President of the Family Division and Cafcass to consider in relation to the Family Court and the Government will respond fully to the Panel’s report and its recommendations in due course.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 February 2025 to Question 29896 on Sexual Offences: Crown Court, whether she plans to engage with victims and survivors in the evaluation of the pilot scheme.

Since May 2024, the Ministry of Justice has been running a one-year pilot to enable victims of rape and sexual offences, whose cases were heard at the Crown Court, to request a copy of the judge’s sentencing remarks free of charge.An assessment of the pilot is underway. This includes collecting applicant survey feedback, shared by victims or by those applying on their behalf. The results of the assessment will be published, and presented at victims’ sector groups, after the pilot has ended in May 2025. In this way victims’ voices will be at the heart of the pilot’s evaluation and any consequent decisions.Surveys were sent to applicants, who gave consent to being contacted for survey purposes, asking for their views, and this information will inform the final assessment of the pilot.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 February 2025 to Question 29896 on Sexual Offences: Crown Court, what plans her Department has to evaluate the pilot scheme for victims of rape and sexual offences.

Since May 2024, the Ministry of Justice has been running a one-year pilot to enable victims of rape and sexual offences, whose cases were heard at the Crown Court, to request a copy of the judge’s sentencing remarks free of charge. An assessment of the pilot is underway, and the results will be published after the pilot has ended in May 2025. This will explore application volumes, costs of provision, and any feedback from the courts on the process. It will also include applicant survey feedback, shared by victims or by those applying on their behalf.

Pursuant to the Answer of 28 January 2025 to Question 24854 on Sexual Offences: Crown Court, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of displaying information of the one-year pilot scheme in courts.

Since 28 May 2024, the Ministry of Justice has been running a one-year pilot for victims of rape and sexual offences, whose cases were heard at the Crown Court, to request a copy of the judge’s sentencing remarks free of charge.The judiciary were informed of the pilot before launch. Requests for court transcripts are considered by judges and the release of transcripts is ultimately a judicial decision in each individual case. We will continue to engage the judiciary as we assess the pilot’s impacts and determine next steps.We recognise the importance of ensuring that eligible victims know about the pilot and how to apply. We have provided the Witness Service, whose role is to support victims and witnesses at court, with an information sheet on the pilot to distribute to any eligible victims.On 10 February 2025, His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service had received c.350 applications under the pilot.

Pursuant to the Answer of 28 January 2025 to Question 24854 on Sexual Offences: Crown Court, how many people have applied to the one-year pilot scheme.

Since 28 May 2024, the Ministry of Justice has been running a one-year pilot for victims of rape and sexual offences, whose cases were heard at the Crown Court, to request a copy of the judge’s sentencing remarks free of charge.The judiciary were informed of the pilot before launch. Requests for court transcripts are considered by judges and the release of transcripts is ultimately a judicial decision in each individual case. We will continue to engage the judiciary as we assess the pilot’s impacts and determine next steps.We recognise the importance of ensuring that eligible victims know about the pilot and how to apply. We have provided the Witness Service, whose role is to support victims and witnesses at court, with an information sheet on the pilot to distribute to any eligible victims.On 10 February 2025, His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service had received c.350 applications under the pilot.

Pursuant to the Answer of 28 January 2025 to Question 24854 on Sexual Offences: Crown Court, whether judges have been informed of the one-year pilot scheme.

Since 28 May 2024, the Ministry of Justice has been running a one-year pilot for victims of rape and sexual offences, whose cases were heard at the Crown Court, to request a copy of the judge’s sentencing remarks free of charge.The judiciary were informed of the pilot before launch. Requests for court transcripts are considered by judges and the release of transcripts is ultimately a judicial decision in each individual case. We will continue to engage the judiciary as we assess the pilot’s impacts and determine next steps.We recognise the importance of ensuring that eligible victims know about the pilot and how to apply. We have provided the Witness Service, whose role is to support victims and witnesses at court, with an information sheet on the pilot to distribute to any eligible victims.On 10 February 2025, His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service had received c.350 applications under the pilot.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 December 2024 to Question 17817 on Slavery: Victims, whether all victims of modern slavery will be covered by the duty.

The duty to collaborate (“the Duty”) (sections 13-14 of the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024) will require collaboration in relation to the commissioning of services for victims of modern slavery where the crime amounts to serious violence. Section 13(8) of the 2024 Act will allow commissioners to determine what constitutes serious violence in their area. Modern slavery is a complex crime and the Duty does not encompass every situation where modern slavery occurs. It is expected that statutory guidance for the Duty (issued pursuant to section 15 of the 2024 Act) will point commissioners towards the Modern Slavery Statutory Guidance to increase local commissioners’ understanding and awareness of modern slavery when preparing local joint commissioning strategies. In practice, modern slavery victims can access support regardless of the exploitation type, which is currently delivered through the Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract. Further, the Duty does not preclude commissioners from collaborating in relation to other crime types when considering local need or arranging provision, if that would benefit a local area.

What steps she is taking to help raise awareness of her Department's pilot scheme to provide victims of rape and serious sexual offences with the opportunity to request a free copy of Judges’ sentencing remarks in Crown Court cases.

Sentencing is an important part of the criminal justice system for victims. However, we know the experience of attending court in person, including sentencing hearings, can be distressing. In May 2024, the Ministry of Justice launched a one-year pilot for victims of rape and sexual offences, whose cases were heard at the Crown Court, to request a copy of the judge’s sentencing remarks free of charge.We are actively working to promote the pilot to eligible victims. We have, for example, published a dedicated webpage on Gov.uk, shared information on the scheme with over 70 national and local stakeholders who work with or represent victims, and created social media posts on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and LinkedIn. We are also working with the Witness Service to ensure that they can provide information on the pilot to victims at court.

With reference to the oral contribution of the then Minister of State in her Department during the Ninth sitting of the Public Bill Committee on the Victims and Prisoners Bill on 4 July 2023, Official Report colu

The duty to collaborate, as set out in sections 13-14 of the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024, will, once in force, require local policing bodies, local authorities and integrated care boards to collaborate when commissioning services for victims of domesti...