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29/03/2006
Government unveils plans for rape trials
The government has unveiled a series of proposals aimed at increasing the number of rape convictions.
The number of rape allegations that result in a conviction currently stands at just 5.6%.
The new measures include plans to allow experts to provide evidence on the trauma suffered by victims and the way they tend to react after the attack.
Juries often find it difficult to believe that a rape victim would not suffer any physical injuries or understand why battered women often return to their abusive partners.
Juries also often find it difficult to understand delays in reporting rapes. However, psychologists and counsellors say that delays in reporting rapes are not unusual, due to the victim being too traumatised to come forward.
The proposals would also allow juries to decide if a woman was too drunk to consent to sex, rather than judges.
There are also plans to allow the victim's video-taped interview with the police to be shown to the jury.
The government has announced plans to contribute funds towards start-up costs for new sexual assault referral centres.
(KMcA)
The number of rape allegations that result in a conviction currently stands at just 5.6%.
The new measures include plans to allow experts to provide evidence on the trauma suffered by victims and the way they tend to react after the attack.
Juries often find it difficult to believe that a rape victim would not suffer any physical injuries or understand why battered women often return to their abusive partners.
Juries also often find it difficult to understand delays in reporting rapes. However, psychologists and counsellors say that delays in reporting rapes are not unusual, due to the victim being too traumatised to come forward.
The proposals would also allow juries to decide if a woman was too drunk to consent to sex, rather than judges.
There are also plans to allow the victim's video-taped interview with the police to be shown to the jury.
The government has announced plans to contribute funds towards start-up costs for new sexual assault referral centres.
(KMcA)
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