Lead member
Baroness Thornton
Labour, Life peer
Lords
Decision
Disagreed
This amendment was disagreed to. Where a member has given notice of their intention to oppose a Clause/Schedule standing part of a Bill, 'disagreed' indicates that the Clause/Schedule remained part of the Bill.
Amendment text
After Clause 15
insert the following new Clause—
“Free independent legal advocates for rape victims
(1)
The Secretary of State must develop proposals for a scheme to give victims of rape access to free, independent legal advocates available in every police force area in England and Wales.
(2)
For the purposes of this section “independent legal advocate for rape victims” means a person who is a qualified solicitor, with experience working with vulnerable people, who provides appropriate legal advice and representation to individuals who are victims of criminal conduct which constitutes rape.”
Member's explanatory statement
This amendment would require the Secretary of State to develop proposals for the provision of free legal advocates for rape victims in every police force.