Victims of sexual violence distressed by MPs’ ‘pugnacious’ questioning | Violence against women and girls
Survivors of rape and sexual violence told MPs they felt anxious and distressed during the evidence hearing in Westminster; One of them stated that witnessing the “combative” interrogation left him “breaking down, sobbing and struggling to breathe.”
The victims’ commissioner made a statement official complaint was appointed chairman of an influential group of MPs following a highly intensive evidence session by the public bill committee for the courts and tribunals bill About controversial changes to jury trials.
Claire Waxman told MPs that she “cannot in good conscience encourage surviving victims to attend evidence sessions conducted in a way that would subject them to re-traumatisation or emotional harm”. Other victims’ organisations, including Rape Crisis and Women’s Aid Organisation, also voiced concerns following the evidentiary hearing, which included robust questioning and some short speeches.
One victim told MPs she felt “shocked, upset and extremely distressed” by some of the questions she heard. In comments published alongside the letter, Morwenna Loughman wrote that she felt the letter “crossed the line into disrespect and acrimony.”
She added: “As a surviving victim I immediately felt threatened and attacked, pushed back into fight or flight.” Loughman said that the interrogation “played a big role” in his emotional breakdown and that “after the interrogation, he sobbed and had difficulty breathing.”
Jade Blue McCrossen-Nethercott, another survivor, said the session was “difficult to watch” and that the line between scrutiny and cross-examination was at times crossed. Third, Charlotte Meijer said the way Waxman was questioned made her feel “as if I were back in court” and said she was worried the same thing might happen to her at a later evidence session.
At some point during evidenceShadow justice secretary Kieran Mullan questioned Waxman about a letter in which 30 organizations representing victims of violence against women and girls (VAWG) called on justice secretary David Lammy to abandon plans to significantly reduce the number of jury trials.
Mullan asked the commissioner if he agreed with the letter addressing the impact of limiting jury trials on victims. Waxman said the letter focused on victims who were also defendants and that he had to read the entire letter. Mullan said: “I read, and I just read you a quote. If you don’t want to take a casual quote at face value, that’s okay.” Waxman responded: “May I remind you that we have victims in the room, and I think that’s really important.”
The Guardian understands committee chairmen took the unusual decision to forward the letter to deputy president Nusrat Ghani. Ghani, who oversees the chairmen of public bill committees who responded to the letter, said it was important that lawmakers “have robust freedom of questioning during parliamentary proceedings, especially when holding public officials to account.” He said committee chairmen and members “adopted an appropriate tone in questioning these witnesses and appreciated their courage, both in their comments on the record and in speaking with them afterward.”
Rape Crisis also wrote to the chair of the public bill committee. The charity said the “hostile” tone, repeated interruptions and pressure for narrow responses “risked replicating some of the dynamics of rape and sexual abuse survivors”.
Farah Nazeer, chief executive of Women’s Aid, said the hearing left her “disappointed and angry on behalf of the survivors”, adding that although robust questioning was “absolutely necessary” she felt “the questioning was closer to cross-examination” and that victims were not given sufficient consideration.
Waxman said parliament should be a “safe and supportive place” for victims and requested a meeting with the deputy speaker. “Having watched parliament’s own processes and seen concerns raised go unheeded, I believe more needs to be done to ensure victims are properly supported, listened to and valued,” he said.
Information and support for anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse issues is available from the following organisations. In the UK, Rape Crisis offers support on 0808 500 2222 in England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland or 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland. Rainn offers support in the US at 800-656-4673. In Australia, you can get support at 1800Respect (1800 737 732). Other international helplines can be found at ibiblio.org/rcip/internl.html.
