18/07/2003
Report claims support for rape victims continues to be inadequate
Support for victims of rape continues to be inadequate, according to equality campaigners, the Fawcett Society, following yesterday's controversial figures from the Home Office which state that rape cases have risen by 27% during the past year.
Releasing a report which claims to expose the "inconsistency" of rape services across the UK, the Fawcett Society has issued a call for an increased provision of support for victims of rape. Particular recommendations were made for the creation of a 24-hour national helpline for those affected, as well as a greater number of specialist centres where women could receive treatment and advice. Currently there are seven such centres in England – but none in Scotland.
It is thought that the rise in incidences of rape in Home Office statistics can partly be attributed to a new method of classifying incidents – known as the National Crime Recording Standard – which sees the definition of a crime linked to how the victim reports it, as opposed to categorisations decided by police.
(CL)
Releasing a report which claims to expose the "inconsistency" of rape services across the UK, the Fawcett Society has issued a call for an increased provision of support for victims of rape. Particular recommendations were made for the creation of a 24-hour national helpline for those affected, as well as a greater number of specialist centres where women could receive treatment and advice. Currently there are seven such centres in England – but none in Scotland.
It is thought that the rise in incidences of rape in Home Office statistics can partly be attributed to a new method of classifying incidents – known as the National Crime Recording Standard – which sees the definition of a crime linked to how the victim reports it, as opposed to categorisations decided by police.
(CL)
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09 July 2008
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17 July 2003
Official figures show violent crime on the increase
Latest figures from the Home Office show that levels of violent crime have risen in England and Wales during the past year.
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31 January 2007
Report criticises rape prosecutions
Police and prosecutors should be doing more to build stronger cases in order to boost the conviction rate for rape, a report has said.
Report criticises rape prosecutions
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