Extract from report stage of the Criminal Justice Bill - May 15

Richard Graham (Gloucester) (Con):...Can the Minister also confirm that the Bill will apply equally to both genders and transgenders? Can he respond to my concerns that the draft legislation may not necessarily cover the point made by the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners that

“the creation of a separate criminal offence for spiking would send a clear message to perpetrators…and victims”?

If it is not to be a separate offence, can he confirm that that message will be absolutely clear, as well as the methods through which it will be relayed? Can he also confirm, therefore, that the analysis of the data and incidence will specifically be about spiking and named as such? That should encourage more victims to come forward...

To read the whole debate, OPEN HERE