PUBLIC ATTITUDES TO RAPE

Early day motion 1079, tabled 22 November 2005 by Diane Abbott (Labour). Signed by 76 members.

That this House notes with great concern the findings of a new ICM poll into public attitudes towards rape; further notes that the poll found that alarmingly high numbers of people think women are partly responsible for rape if they have been drinking, wear revealing clothes or have had several sexual partners; recognises that most rape incidents currently go unreported and that only 6 per cent. of prosecutions lead to a conviction; further notes that fewer than 10 police forces in England and Wales have dedicated rape teams and calls on the Government to boost numbers of such teams; and further calls on the Government to launch a new drive to counteract this perception of rape crime and to provide victims with the emotional and legal support needed to bring prosecutions successfully.

Signatures by party: Labour 46, Liberal Democrat 20, Conservative 4, Plaid Cymru 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, DUP 1, Scottish National Party 1.