§ 36. Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made with improving police support for rape victims.
§ Mr. Peter LloydConsiderable progress has been made. In order to ensure privacy and comfort for victims it is now normal for the police either to provide special rape examination suites or to utilise facilities in hospitals or doctors' surgeries. Much greater emphasis is being placed on sympathetic and informal treatment of victims, with officers receiving both general awareness training on rape and more specialised training if they are to be directly involved in the investigation of offences.