Number of reported rapes more than double in four years but conviction rates plummet

The number of recorded rapes have risen by 135% over the past four years, however the number of convictions during this period have fallen 11%, according to new data.

According to an analysis by the Guardian the number of reported rapes in England and Wales have risen from 10,160 in 2011-12 to 23,851 in 2015-16.rapes

The number of convictions in the same period have fallen 11%, with 24% recorded convictions in 2011-12 and only 13% in 2015-16.

The data released today by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary on behalf of its rape-monitoring group, found that of the 23,851 cases nearly all of them were women. Recorded rapes on children also rose from 5,878 in 2011-12 to 11,947 in 2015-16.

In light of this data The Women’s Equality Party has put forward new plans for a joined-up approach from politicians, police and the CPS to tackle rape and sexual abuse.

“Women are continually told to ‘report it to stop it’ but neither the government nor the police nor the criminal justice system is stopping it. The best way to make sure victims come forward is to show them that perpetrators will be convicted and the best way to convict perpetrators is to change approach, now,” said Sophie Walker, leader of the Women’s Equality Party.

“The other political parties have failed in their duty of care to protect women and girls from violence. WE will not fail them.”

Walker added: “We are also calling on unconscious bias training for police and jurors whose acceptance of rape myths is having a direct impact on victims’ access to having justice. Police forces across England and Wales are doing a much better job of referring rape cases, but this is not resulting in charges being brought by the Crown Prosecution Service, nor successful prosecutions.”

“The CPS needs to be clear and consistent about what is required for suspects to be charged, and it should work with police to make sure every case has the best chance of being prosecuted. Survivors are being let down by these disastrously low conviction rates.”

“Our members have called on the Prime Minister to make ending violence against women and girls a priority in her first one hundred days in office – it is time for the Prime Minister to make this a priority,” Walker concluded.

 

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