§ Mr. CryerTo ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the training provided to judges to enable them to deal adequately with rape cases.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe Judicial Studies Board is responsible for the provision of training and information for judges. The policy with regard to the proper conduct of trials and appropriate levels of sentence in the Crown Court are laid down in decisions of the Court of Appeal criminal division.
The board has produced guidance for trial judges in summing up to juries and a volume of sentencing guidelines, which includes sentences for rape. Copies have been distributed to each judge.
At seminars run by the board judges are reminded that it is their duty to be sensitive to the difficulties of all those who come to court, including complainants in cases of alleged rape or other sexual assaults, who are often under considerable strain and may suffer distress whilst giving evidence.