A SLEW of sweeping reforms in rape complaints are expected to hit Britain as senior ministers pledged to rectify the system after a sharp historic decline in rape conviction rates has come to light in a recent government review.
The review said that just 1.6 per cent of rape cases result in someone being charged, the lowest proportion for any crime. Promising to overhaul the way sexual crime investigations are conducted in the country, senior ministers have said they are “deeply ashamed” over the drop.
“The vast majority of victims do not see the crime against them charged and reach a court. One in two victims withdraw from rape investigations,” a joint statement by home secretary, justice secretary and attorney general said.
“These are trends of which we are deeply ashamed. Victims of rape are being failed. Thousands of victims have gone without justice.”
It is estimated that there are 128,000 victims of rape (including attempts) per year. Only 43,000 report the crime to the police, out of which 3,000 make it to prosecution and just 2,000 get convictions, as per the review.
The review also shows about 57 per cent rape victims withdrew the allegation saying that some do so because "they cannot face the unwarranted and unacceptable intrusion into their privacy".
What’s the new plan?
Aiming to increase the number of rape cases going to court, Operation Soteria- which pushes police and Crown Prosecution Service to focus investigations on “suspects rather than complainants’ credibility”- will be rolled out by the end of the year with the intention of implementing a national “radical new operating model”. The project will be backed by £3.2 million coming from the Home Office.
The raft of proposals also mentioned that victims should no longer be subject to a “digital strip search” of their communications and their phones should be returned within 24 hours, with a replacement being provided during that time.
The proposal also mentions sparing victims the trauma of attending a courtroom trial by videoing their cross-examination earlier in the process and away from the courtroom. A pilot will be run in several courts, with a wider rollout considered.
Response
The review is met with mixed responses, with one rape charity saying it is a missed opportunity and the government’s proposal failed to identify any big commitments that will radically and swiftly improve rape victims' experience.
Labour said the government had "failed victims of rape on every front" and its recommendations did not go far enough.
Bob Blackman MP speaks during the event