GovWire

Rape victims are being better supported across the criminal justice system 2 years on from the landmark End to End Rape Review, thanks to progress in delivering the governments action plan to transform the response to rape and put more perpetrators behind bars.

The progress report published today (Monday 10 July) shows the government has already met 2 of the 3 key ambitions in the Rape Review ahead of schedule restoring the number of police referrals and cases reaching court to 2016 levels and is on track to exceed all 3 ambitions before the end of this parliament.

It comes as all 43 police forces across England and Wales, and all rape prosecutors across the country, begin implementing a new approach to dealing with rape and other serious sexual offences, ensuring forces conduct thorough investigations which put the focus on the suspect and centre the rights and needs of victims. Known as Operation Soteria and piloted in 19 police forces and 9 Crown Prosecution Areas already, the programme brings together police forces with academics, using evidence and new insight to enable forces and prosecutors to transform their response to rape and serious sexual offences.

There are early signs of improvements in the police forces and CPS Areas already participating in the Operation Soteria programme. All five pathfinder forces have seen an increase in the number of cases being referred to the CPS more than doubling in West Midlands Police and Durham. The number of cases being prosecuted by the CPS from Avon and Somerset have more than tripled, and all pathfinder forces have seen a reduction in the average days taken for a charge outcome to be assigned with South Wales seeing a reduction of almost 300 days in the latest quarter.

And to further improve the response to rape, 2,000 extra police investigators will be specially trained in rape and sexual offences by April 2024. It will also be compulsory for new recruits to undertake rape and sexual offences training, which will also be rolled out to all existing first responders.

Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Alex Chalk KC, said:

Rape and sexual violence are horrific crimes that can impact victims for the rest of their lives. Thats why we launched an action plan in the 2021 Rape Review to drive up prosecutions.

Weve made significant progress, hitting two of our Rape Review ambitions ahead of schedule, and there are more rape cases before the courts today than in 2010.

Now we are going further, extending our action plan with more support for victims, encouraging survivors to come forward and see justice done.

Home Secretary, Suella Braverman MP, said:

As a society, too often we have failed the victims of sexual violence.

I have been clear that we must transform the way these investigations are handled, to make sure that all victims have the best support possible throughout the entire process. This is a vital step in delivering on that promise.

It will help ensure investigations focus on the suspect, and never on seeking to undermine the account of the victim, as well as placing the utmost importance on their rights and needs.

The Rape Review progress report shows improvements have been made in response to rape across every stage of the criminal justice system and, crucially, data suggests more and more victims are reporting these abhorrent crimes to the police demonstrating an increase in victim confidence.

The government recognises that there is more work to be done to support rape victims in coming forward and bringing perpetrators to justice.

To further support victims, pioneering CPS areas, police forces and leading academics have developed a new National Operating Model for the investigation of rape and serious sexual offences, and all police forces and prosecutors in England and Wales have committed to implementing it from today.

This will see police and prosecutors work more closely together to build stronger cases which focus on the behaviour of the suspect, and place victims at the heart of the response.

The Home Office, National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) and College of Policing Unit will oversee the implementation of the new national model, supported by the College of Policing and the government will be consulting with police leaders on the effectiveness of dedicated rape investigation units in all police forces.

Having completed more than 150 published Rape Review actions over the last 2 years, with less than 10 outstanding due to be completed in the coming months, todays publication extends the governments action plan until the end of parliament, continuing to deliver activity across the criminal justice system that will drive further improvements

These actions include:

• Giving more victims the option to hear their attacker being sentenced away from a courtroom - avoiding seeing their attacker face-to-face. This brings sentencing in line with measures already brought in which allow victims to provide evidence remotely
• Recommissioning the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Fund (RASASF) providing 21 million over 2023/24 to specialist support services for rape and sexual abuse victims across England and Wales, helping them cope and move forward with their lives
• The Home Secretary has commissioned His Majestys Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) to carry out a thematic inspection of forces implementation of the Soteria Model, and will produce a report with findings in due course
• Publishing a step-by-step guide for frontline investigators on conducting suspect-focused investigations and toolkits to ensure victims needs and rights are central to all investigations

Director of Public Prosecutions, Max Hill KC, of said:

Today marks the latest milestone for the Crown Prosecution Service in our journey to transform the way rape cases are investigated and prosecuted, learning from Operation Soteria.

Over the past year, we have seen the volume of adult rape-flagged cases charged increase by 40% and are on track to significantly increase the number of cases going to court year on year.

We know we still have a long way to go to drive lasting change, and will continue to listen carefully to partners and victims as we go, but the work we have been doing through genuine partnership with police colleagues is bearing fruit.

Victims Minister, Ed Argar MP, said:

Since 2019 weve almost doubled the number of suspects charged and the volume of convictions is up a third meaning more rapists being put behind bars.

Weve introduced a round-the-clock rape support line and are quadrupling funding for victim support by 2025, but its vital we maintain this momentum and keep building on all the action weve taken so far.

Emily Hunt, survivor and independent advisor to the government on the Rape Review, said:

Two years on from the Rape Review, it is amazing to see what the beginning of success looks like.

Fundamentally, now more rapists are going to prison and victims are being better supported. But it is not the time to stop - it is time to double down and really consider what we should be doing to build on these successes.

Since the Rape Review was published the government have taken a number of steps to provide better support for rape victims including:

• Launching a 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line so victims can speak to trained specialists whenever they need
• Quadrupling funding for victim support services by 2025 compared to 2010 levels
• Stopping unnecessary and intrusive requests for victims phones through the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act and introducing new legislation through the Victims and Prisoners Bill so that therapy notes or other personal records are only accessed when necessary and proportionate to an investigation
• Providing Police and Crime Commissioners with dedicated ring-fenced funding for at least 900 Independent Sexual Violence and Domestic Abuse Advisors and will fund an additional 100 - bringing the total to over 1000 by 2025.
• Driving down Crown Court backlogs so cases can be heard faster, lifting the cap on the number of days courts can sit, and recruiting 1,000 more judges

These steps build on progress made on convictions which are up 33% on 2019 levels, while adult rape prosecutions are up 4% on 2010.

The Victims and Prisoner Bill will also provide additional support for all victims, including rape victims, by giving ministers powers to direct the inspection of justice agencies, such as the police and courts, that are failing victims.

Attorney General, Victoria Prentis KC, said:

The aftermath of rape and serious sexual offences can last a lifetime, so I hope todays announcement means victims feel they can report these sickening crimes with confidence.

More cases are being referred and charged and thanks to better joined up working between police and prosecutors, more robust files are being built which can pass through the system more swiftly.

Support measures to keep victims engaged are so much improved, but the momentum must continue right across the country.

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