Channel 4 documentary to go behind the scenes with Avon and Somerset Police
"Rape - who's on trial?" Will explore how officers investigate allegations of serious sexual assault
A documentary will air on TV tonight (8 November) exploring how Avon and Somerset Police investigate rape cases.
The programme called "Rape - Who's on Trial?" Will broadcast on Channel 4 at 9pm this evening.
The police say it will show how officers handle reports of both rape and serious sexual offences, from the moment a victim makes an allegation right through the investigation, to potential court proceedings and conviction.
An all female production team followed officers for more than 18 months, looking at four cases.
They are:
- The conviction of a man who raped a 16-year-old girl in Easton last year after following her once she got off a bus
- A woman who reported being raped by her mother's boyfriend in Bath
- A trial in which a man was accused of raping two women at a hotel in Bristol
- A woman who reported to police she was sexually assaulted by a male she had met in a bar in Bath
The documentary will feature interviews with Temporary Chief Constable Sarah Crew, who is also the NPCC's national lead for rape and serious sexual offences, officers involved in the investigations plus victims whose cases we've investigated.
Detective Inspector Lisa Simpson was one of those involved:
"Quite simply, conviction rates for these types of offences are too low," she said.
"We as a police service wouldn't be doing our duty if we didn't acknowledge that, and act on it by working with other agencies and the legal system to understand why and make necessary changes.
"Opening our doors to work with academics and set up Operation Bluestone has made us examine everything we do, from the moment we receive an allegation through to getting a case to court.
"The learning from this, and the way in which we shape our understanding and our processes will be in instrumental in improving victim care and outcomes not just in our Constabulary, but nationally."
Detective Inspector Simpson says too often in the past, investigations have focused on the victims and not the perpetrator.
"A new approach is needed and we believe Operation Bluestone will help us increase the chances to achieve justice for victims who have gone through the most horrendous experiences.
"Victims have to be exceptionally brave in reporting to us.
"We would be failing them if we didn't make changes to our processes to help them, and we are resolute in our ambition to be so much better to serve the victims as they truly deserve."
The documentary will be followed by a televised debate bringing together politicians, police, prosecutors, campaigners and survivors to discuss the crisis in the investigation and prosecution of rape and serious sexual crime.
Since filming concluded on the documentary, Avon and Somerset Police launched Operation Bluestone in June 2021, designed to improve how they investigate these cases and to ensure they achieve the best outcome for victims.
Its seen the creation of a specialist team of trained officers dedicated to rape and sexual assault investigations.
if you think you’ve been a victim of rape and/or serious sexual assault but you don’t want to talk to the police, you can still get in touch with other support services.
You can find a list of local services here.