New Clause 3 - Restriction on evidence or questions about complainant's sexual history

Part of Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill – in the House of Commons at 7:15 pm on 5 July 2021.

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Photo of David Lammy David Lammy Shadow Lord Chancellor and Shadow Secretary of State for Justice 7:15, 5 July 2021

I will just make some progress, if I may.

I think most people would be appalled to learn that rapists can be sentenced to as little as four years in prison—for one of the most heinous crimes imaginable. We presented the Government with research that showed that our sentences for rape were lower than other common law jurisdictions. The Australian Law Reform Commission said that its national penalty range was 12 years to life; in the state of Victoria, rape carries a standard sentence of 10 years; and in India the minimum sentence has just gone up to 10 years.