House of Commons written answers, 16th October 2006
Parliamentary questions
Written answers : Solicitor-General
16th October, 2006
Sian James (Lab., Swansea East)asked what steps are taken to ensure that correct decisions are taken in prosecuting homophobic and transphobic hate crimes. The Solicitor General, Mike O’Brien, referred to policy in this matter issued by the Crown Prosecution Service which can be seen at: http://www.cps.gov.uk/publications/docs/htc_policy.pdf
It is worth noting that Section 146 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 came into effect from 4 April 2005. This section requires a court to treat as an aggravating feature for sentence, hostility based on sexual orientation (or presumed). There is no equivalent for hate crime based on gender identity.
|
From House of Commons
Hansard
Solicitor-General16 Oct 2006 : Column 887W Hate CrimesMrs. James: To ask the Solicitor-General what steps the Crown Prosecution Service takes to ensure that the right casework decisions are made in cases of homophobic and transphobic crime. [93604] The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) regards homophobic and transphobic crimes as particularly serious and is determined to prosecute all hate crime robustly and rigorously. After extensive consultation in 2002, the CPS issued a public policy statement and related guidance for crown prosecutors explaining how such cases would be handled. Each CPS area has at least one homophobic crime coordinator. These coordinators provide guidance to crown prosecutors and agents; work closely with the local police and other agencies on casework and operational issues; ensure consistency of aims and approach; advise on victim and witness care issues; and make links with local LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) communities. Annual conferences for the CPS area homophobic crime coordinators are held and good practice promulgated. Each area’s performance on prosecuting cases of homophobic crime is monitored and reviewed each quarter. |
