Victims of sexual violence distressed by MPs’ ‘pugnacious’ questioning
Summary
Victims of sexual violence said they felt anxious and upset during a session where MPs questioned witnesses strongly about changes to jury trials. The victims’ commissioner and several charities complained that the style of questioning caused emotional harm to survivors. Some MPs defended their questioning as necessary to hold public officials accountable.Key Facts
- Victims of rape and sexual violence described feeling distressed during a parliamentary evidence session.
- Claire Waxman, the victims’ commissioner, formally complained about the questioning style.
- The session involved discussion about plans to reduce the number of jury trials in courts.
- Some victims said the questioning felt aggressive and triggered emotional breakdowns.
- NGOs like Rape Crisis and Women’s Aid also expressed concern about how survivors were treated.
- Shadow justice minister Kieran Mullan questioned Waxman strongly on a letter opposing jury trial reductions.
- Committee chairs reported the complaint to the deputy speaker, who supported MPs’ right to robust questioning.
- Victims’ groups said the adversarial tone resembled courtroom cross-examination, which can retraumatize survivors.
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