Lord Morrisasked Her Majesty's Government:
If they have yet issued revised guidance to the police on the investigation of offences of rape.
§ Lord EltonYes. My right honourable friend the Home Secretary has issued guidance to chief officers of police which brings up to date and supplements previous guidance. A copy of the revised guidance has been placed in the Library.
The revised guidance stresses the need for rape complaints to be treated with tact and sympathy and covers a number of important areas such as medical examination, questioning about previous sexual history, anonymity and follow-up action. It emphasises the importance of training and the need for interviews to be conducted by an experienced officer, and urges the participation or presence of a woman police officer.
The proper and sensitive investigation of offences of rape is a matter to which the public and chief officers of police rightly attach great importance. It is vital that women who have undergone the terrible ordeal of rape should have the confidence to report the matter to the police and I therefore welcome the opportunity which the guidance gives to draw attention to existing best practice.