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Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Matt Western (Labour). It was answered on Thursday, 6 January 2022 on behalf of the Attorney General.

Violence against Women and Girls/Hate Crimes: Successful Prosecutions

Question

Clearly not that seriously, certainly in Warwickshire; according to the CPS data, Warwickshire has the lowest conviction rate—47% conviction against prosecution—at 1.3%. Dame Vera Baird, the Victims’ Commissioner, criticised that as the “effective decriminalisation of rape”. She is right, is she not?

Answer

No, she is not right. We understand, of course, that we need to do better when it comes to charging rape and to RASSO—rape and serious sexual offences—outcomes. The Director of Public Prosecutions accepts that and I accept that. However, we must be fair about where the problem is, so that we can be frank about the solutions. About 10% of police referrals make it to the CPS and, in the most recent data, we see a slight increase—nationally—in the CPS

charging rate when it comes to rape, so there are some early signs of improvement. Above all, we have a great commitment by the CPS and criminal justice partners to improve the situation. The rape review was published last year, and we have seen the RASSO 2025 strategy. Innovative processes around Operation Soteria and Operation Bluestone are changing the way police and prosecutors work to better tackle rape and serious sexual offences, so that victims are better supported through the process.

Secondary information

Type
Oral question
Reference
706 c142 
Session
2021-22
Oral question type
1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Prosecutions Hate crime Gender based violence
Link
View this Oral question on hansard.parliament.uk