Written question asked by Vera Baird (Labour) on Friday, 4 February 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 8 March 2005. It was answered by Baroness Harman (Labour) on Tuesday, 8 March 2005 on behalf of the Solicitor General.

Solicitor-General

Question: To ask the Solicitor General, how the No Witness No Justice programme interacts with the work of sexual assault referral centres. (Further information on 08.03.2005 at 431 c1641W)

Answer: Vera Baird: To ask the Solicitor-General how the No Witness No Justice programme interacts with the work of sexual assault referral centres. [215576] The Solicitor-General: Sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) provide a co-ordinated service to victims in the immediate aftermath of rape or other sexual assault. victims receive medical attention and counselling, and can have a forensic examination and report the rape/ sexual assault to the police if they so choose. There are 13 SARCs across England and Wales. As part of the no witness, no justice programme, witness care units (WCUs) were established. They provide a single point of contact for victims and witnesses to turn to for information and support from the point of charge until the conclusion of the case. By the end of March this year, there will be 81 such units nationally, and at least one covering each CPS Area. By the end of this year, there will be 165 such units covering all of England and Wales. That SARCs and WCUs complement each other in helping place the victim at the heart of the criminal justice system.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 431 c1641W;431 c1637W; 215576
Session: 2004-05
Subjects: Rape Sexual offences Victims Victim support schemes Sexual assault referral centres
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk