Government say they are 'ashamed' as they apologise to rape victims
The Government has apologised for “failing” rape victims
Last updated 24th May 2022
Rape victims have been 'failed' and the Government has apologised over years of falling conviction levels.
Justice Secretary Robert Buckland QC and Home Secretary Priti Patel said they were “deeply ashamed” by the downward trends in bringing sexual offenders to justice.
They set out plans for a “system and culture change” which will include focusing more on the behaviour of the suspect than the accuser.
They also set out measures to get the numbers of people charged and going to court back to 2016 levels by the end of this Parliament.
Those measures include:
- A pilot scheme aimed at reducing cross-examination of victims in court by conducting pre-recorded interviews.
- A nationwide recognition that only evidence about the complainant that is pertinent to the case should be used.
- A new approach to investigations which ensures that there is an “early and robust assessment of suspect behaviour and offending patterns”.
The review, which was commissioned more than two years ago, said: “The current situation is totally unacceptable and the Government is determined to change it: we owe this to every victim and are extremely sorry that the system has reached this point.”
What are the figures for rape convictions?
The latest CPS figures for 2019-20 show 1,439 suspects were convicted of rape or lesser offences in England and Wales last year – the lowest level since records began, and down from 1,925 the previous year, despite reports of adult rape to police almost doubling since 2015-16.
There are an estimated 128,000 victims of rape and attempted rape a year, but only 1.6% of reported cases results in a charge.
“Thousands of victims have gone without justice"
Summarising the report’s findings, Mr Buckland, Ms Patel and Attorney General Michael Ellis QC wrote: “These are trends of which we are deeply ashamed. Victims of rape are being failed.
“Thousands of victims have gone without justice. But this isn’t just about numbers – every instance involves a real person who has suffered a truly terrible crime.
“Our mission, set out in this publication, is to understand why we are letting down rape victims, and to right this wrong.”
MP Jess Phillips has highlighted one issue with the review:
"A lack of urgency for change"
Katie Russell, national spokesperson for Rape Crisis England and Wales, said the review contained many positives – not least the apology – but said she was concerned about a lack of urgency to bring about change.
She told the PA news agency: “Whether what has been announced today will be enough remains to be seen.
“But we sincerely hope it will lead to change and we are fully invested in it being a success – it has to be a success for the benefit of victims and survivors who are currently being failed, and victims and survivors of the future.
“Those improvements are long overdue – this is a genuine crisis.”
If you've been affected by the issues in this article help can be found at the Rape Crisis website. They have Rape Crisis centres across the UK but also have a live chat helpline on their website. You can also call them on 0808 802 9999.