Exclusive: Victims’ commissioner makes formal complaint after committee session left one attender ‘shocked, upset and extremely distressed’
Victims of rape and sexual violence have told parliamentarians they felt anxious and distressed during a Westminster evidence session, with one stating that witnessing “pugnacious” questioning had resulted in her “breaking down, sobbing and struggling to breathe”.
The victims’ commissioner has made a formal complaint to the chair of an influential group of MPs after a highly charged evidence session carried out by the public bill committee for the courts and tribunals bill about controversial changes to jury trials.
Claire Waxman told MPs that she could not “in good conscience, encourage victim-survivors to participate in evidence sessions conducted in a manner that may expose them to retraumatisation or emotional harm”. Other victims’ organisations, including Rape Crisis and Women’s Aid, have also raised concerns after an evidence hearing that included robust questioning and some terse exchanges.
One victim told MPs that she had felt “shocked, upset and extremely distressed” at some of the questioning she heard. Morwenna Loughman wrote in comments published alongside the letter that she felt it had “crossed the line into disrespect and pugnaciousness”.
