Measures To Improve Rape Conviction Rate Launched

New measures aimed to continue improving the rate of successful rape convictions in courts through England and Wales have been launched by the Director of Public Prosecutions (CPS).

Alison Saunders and a leading national police officer called for a renewed effort to dispel “myths”.

The plan includes monitoring the quality of decisions when police decide to drop investigations, new practical guidance for frontline officers and prosecutors and updating the joint police and CPS national rape protocol.

Estimates suggest there are as many as 85,000 rapes committed every year in England and Wales, only 10% of which are reported to police.

In 2007-08, 58% of cases brought to trial resulted in a conviction. The conviction rate hit a high of 63% in 2011-12 but has since fallen back to 60%.

According to separate figures provided to MPs by police prosecutors the proportion of decision on whether to go trial fell last year despite a 30% increase in the reported rapes.

However, the most recent figures suggested that this year the referral rate is beginning to rise again.

Police sent 5,400 cases to the CPS in 2012-2013, representing 31% of all reports they have received.

Mrs Saunders said: "Over the last year we have worked hard to increase the volume of rape cases referred by the police and charged by prosecutors and our latest figures are certainly encouraging, But even though there have been slightly more defendants convicted, the steady increase in conviction rates we have seen in recent years has halted, and this must be addressed immediately.”

(CVS/MH)