Drop in Hampshire rape convictions as CPS vows to improve

The figures relate to the 12 months up to March. In that time there were more than 2,100 rapes reported to police.

The area’s chief prosecutor has admitted ‘too many cases are dropping out’ of the criminal justice system as campaigners say rape has been ‘decriminalised’.

It comes as the Crown Prosecution Service unveiled a five-year plan to tackle the major drop caused by ‘no single reason’.

In Hampshire, 38 rape prosecutions were carried out in the 12 months to March – far fewer than 10 years ago.

Of those, 25 resulted in convictions – a near-66 per cent conviction rate, just under the average for England and Wales.

In the year to March, Hampshire police flagged 1,621 rapes against adults, and 527 against children in the same period.

Kim Hosier, centre director at Portsmouth Abuse & Rape Counselling Service, said: ‘Despite years of policy reform in England and Wales and some positive changes, criminal justice responses to sexual violence remain inadequate.

‘We need to move beyond focusing on short-term tinkering and consider radical reform.

‘We need to question whether the system we have was ever designed to work in the way we’ve been led to believe that is should.

‘Short-term recommendations cannot be successful when they rest upon underlying problems; routine delays, a lack of education and an over-reliance on “rape myths”, extreme interpretations of beyond reasonable doubt and burden of proof and a focus on winning at all costs rather than justice.’

In 2009-10 there were 73 convictions out of 123 prosecutions. CPS data released yesterday said there were 47 cases referred by police to CPS Wessex in the most recent year reported. Police said there were 87 cases referred.

Shonagh Dillon, from campaigning charity Aurora New Dawn, said: ‘As members of End Violence Against Women Coalition we are fully aware of the effective decriminalisation of rape, the new figures today evidence only one in 70 victims of rape have a chance of their case being charged.

‘We support the judicial review being sought by EVAW and Centre for Women’s Justice against the CPS for its failure to prosecute rape.

‘We would urge the government to undertake the Rape Review as a high priority, that way the national response will enable our local response to more adequately support victims and survivors access to justice.’

Joanne Jakymec, chief crown prosecutor, said: ‘There has been a growing gap between the number of rapes recorded, and the number of cases going to court, this is a great cause of concern for all of us in the criminal justice system.

‘Each of our prosecutors remain committed to the delivery of justice for victims and whenever the legal test is met, they will prosecute, no matter how challenging the case.

‘The latest figures show an increase in the proportion of cases being charged, but it’s clear that too many cases are dropping out of the system.

‘There’s no single reason, and along with our police colleagues, we’re determined to find solutions to build confidence that every case is dealt with expertly and fairly.’

Ms Jakymec said she was 'encouraged to start to see a reversal in the falling number of charges' and she is working with chief constable Olivia Pinkney on the issue.

Most recently there were 353 sex offence prosecutions, excluding rape, with 306 convictions. This was an 86.7 per cent rate, with the national average at 83.9 per cent.

In 2009-10 there were 184 convictions out of 275 prosecutions.

Hampshire police’s deputy chief constable Sara Glen, national lead for charging, said in a joint statement released by the National Police Chiefs' Council: ‘We are hearing from our officers that it is becoming harder to achieve the standard of evidence required to charge a suspect and get a case into court.

‘Victims tell us clearly how important it is to them to have the evidence tested in this way.

‘Investigators are working incredibly hard to try and reach that standard, but in some occasions when they are unable to do so they are taking local decisions through gatekeepers and supervisors.’

For support call Parcs’ office on (023) 9266 9613, e-mail [email protected] or call the women’s line on (023) 9266 9511 or men’s line (023) 9266 9516.

CPS unveils five-year action plan on rape prosecutions

IMPROVEMENTS are set to be made to the way rape cases are handled, the CPS has said.

The five-year scheme, called RASSO 2025, will look to improve case handling across the criminal justice system.

Measures include a joint action plan with police, legal advice to the police early in the investigation stage, 'fully resourcing' the rape unit, and improve communications with the with complainants.

Sophie Stevens, head of the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences team at CPS Wessex, said: ‘Rape is one of the most traumatic crimes anyone can survive.

‘These crimes are devastating and can have a lasting impact on their victims. They are among the most challenging cases to prosecute

‘Every day I see the bravery and courage of the survivors of rape and serious sexual offences.

‘My team will continue to work with the police, charities and support services to bring offenders to justice.’