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Rape conviction rate.

Improvements planned

Changes are being brought about by the Department of Public Prosecutions to try to improve the rape conviction rate. In the UK only 18% of all recorded rapes against adults over 18 resulted in a charge or conviction.

If we look at the figures the Police referred 5400 of cases to the crown prosecution service, a figure that represents 31% of all cases reported to the police; in the same years 3,692 cases were brought before court and from that figure 3,692 cases resulted in a conviction.

The Director of public prosecutions wants to implement measures to improve the conviction rate and unveiled a number of moves to do this, they include:-

- 'changing the perception' - there has been a concern that those investigating and prosecuting rape have overly focused on the credibility of the victim; renewed focus must be given to the allegations and the definition to 'consent to have sex'.

- Full review of the operation of specialist CPS departments and the barristers employed to present evidence.

- Introduce a police monitoring system to analyse how and why decisions are made to drop cases.

Since 2009-2010 we have seen a negligible improvement in the number of cases brought to trial and the conviction rate, and over the past 3 years the conviction rate has fallen.

The Director of Public prosecutions highlighted the need to change the 'Myths and stereotypes' that exist, which have the potential to influence jurors. Improvements must be made in the way cases are presented to jurors to overcome this.

Victims of rape must feel confident in the service and support provided by the police, to ensure that more cases are reported; according to the BBC in 2007 - 85,000 women were raped in the UK, but just over 2000 convictions were made - this highlights how many cases go unreported and are dropped.

These measures are to be applauded but we would call upon a full review of the handling of Rape accusations to ensure the confidence and support the victim has is as good as it can be .




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