Norfolk domestic abuse charity warns fewer victims will come forward
It's after findings from the data watchdog
A domestic abuse charity in Norfolk is warning that local victims of sexual assault could now be put off bringing their cases forwards.
It's after a data watchdog found that victims are being asked to hand-over too much personal digital information, including at times their mobile phones, to authorities - when reporting an alleged crime.
Information Commissioner John Edwards has called for an immediate end to the criminal justice sector collecting vast swathes of information- describing it as a "digital strip search" -where victims of rape and other serious sexual offences will continue to be "treated as suspects".
The Government announced last summer in its Rape Review that any digital material requested from victims would be "strictly limited" to what was "necessary and proportionate to allow reasonable lines of inquiry into the alleged offence".
But the latest Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) report found that victims are "being told to consent to hand over extraordinary amounts of information about their lives, in the immediate aftermath of a life-changing attack".
"It can make people be less confident when using things like social media"
Rhys Lloyd is from the local charity, Leeway, he told us the malicious use of these platforms is increasing, over here: "Over the last couple of years we've certainly seen an increase in people's phones being monitored, or technology being used against victims to stalk or harass them.
"It can make people be less confident when using things like social media".
Rhys also told us that a mindset change around the issue is vital: "There are a lot of attitudes towards issues around rape, sexual violence and domestic abuse-I think people are still a little uncomfortable in talking about.
"I think breaking those barriers helps to overcome that and addresses the stigma that surrounds it.
"You want to create a culture where people are comfortable to talk about these issues and they can feel like can come forward. But with reports like these, it really becomes the opposite.
"People might think twice about coming forwards, they might think like they are not going to be believed or they've got something to prove.
"Then you have a danger of people not coming forwards"
He fears this could all have a knock-on effect to what's reported: "It's a worry because it could impact other people coming forwards, because they may think well I know somebody who's been through that, this is what they've had to deal with, I don't think I could cope with that.
"Then you have a danger of people not coming forwards, when they need to help themselves and to ensure justice is done."
This all comes as campaigners continue to cite low conviction rates for sexual offences, with latest Home Office figures showing just 1.3% of 67,125 rape allegations recorded by police in 2021 lead to prosecution.
The ICO report has set out a number of recommendations, including for the National Police Chiefs' Council to mandate all constabularies stop issuing forms to victims indicating general consent to obtain information.
A Crown Prosecution Service spokesman said: “Prosecutors and investigators are asked to carefully consider when it may be necessary to seek a complainant’s personal data.
“Both the law and our guidelines set out clear parameters police and prosecutors must follow when making requests – they must be specific and only sought when necessary.
“Defence should be passed this information only to comply with our legal obligations where information is capable of undermining the prosecution case or assisting the suspect.
“We are working jointly with police and criminal justice partners to get this right and rebuild confidence, by providing early advice to focus the investigation on relevant lines of inquiry and looking at the suspect’s behaviour before, during and after the alleged incident.”
A Home Office spokesman said: “We must ensure that victims and witnesses are confident they will be treated with sensitivity and dignity when reporting crimes and that their rights to privacy are protected.
“That’s why we strengthened the law which covers requests for digital information, to ensure that victims are only asked for their phone where necessary and proportionate, and funded £5 million of new technology for 24 police forces to help meet our rape review commitment that no adult rape victim will be left without a phone for more than 24 hours.
“We will also shortly be launching a public consultation on police requests for personal information, such as medical or education records, to understand more about the problems in this area and to test possible solutions.”