Question
Members will have heard me speak many times about the injustice of victims of sexual assault and rape on the Isle of Wight having to travel by ferry for evidence gathering and treatment, because of the lack of a sexual assault referral centre, yet these traumatic journeys continue and many victims tell me how they feel badly let down. Will the Minister meet me to discuss a way forward so that no one has to leave the island to access that essential service?
Answer
I thank my hon. Friend for the work he does in supporting victims and survivors in his constituency. Victims and survivors of sexual violence should be able to access timely, sensitive and appropriate specialist support wherever they live. He is right to raise the gaps on the Isle of Wight, and I would of course be happy to meet him to see how together we can address that.25% vibes
Verdict: AMBER (52/100)
The Minister clearly and directly agreed to meet the Member, and acknowledged the gaps in provision on the Isle of Wight, which answers the first part of the question. On the second part, about avoiding off-island travel for evidence gathering or treatment, the reply only restated a general aim that victims should be supported wherever they live and named no specific action or service arrangement. The question was therefore only partly answered, and the person who asked would probably need to pursue that point further.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Will the Minister meet the Member to discuss a way forward on sexual assault referral centre provision on the Isle of Wight. | Addressed | Direct | The Minister directly commits to meeting the Member ('I would of course be happy to meet him'), which is the specific thing asked, and acknowledges the Isle of Wight gaps that a way forward would address. |
| What is the department doing to ensure that victims of sexual assault and rape on the Isle of Wight can access sexual assault referral centre services without having to leave the island for evidence gathering or treatment. | Partially Addressed | Hedged | The reply only restates an aspiration that victims should get support 'wherever they live' and admits gaps on the Island, without naming any action, service arrangement, or mechanism the department is taking to avoid off-island travel for evidence gathering or treatment. |