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UK to review how public authorities respond to rape complaints

Source: The Government Equalities Office
Posted on: 22nd September 2009

Harriet Harman, Minister for Women and Equality, Home Secretary Alan Johnson and Solicitor General Vera Baird today announced a review into how rape complaints are handled from when a rape is first disclosed until the court reaches a verdict.

The review, led by Baroness Stern, will look in particular at how public authorities (including the police, local authorities, health providers, the Crown Prosecution Service, etc) not only respond individually to rape complaints, but how they interact with each other, as well as professionals’ attitudes to rape and evidence from the victims.

The Stern Review will make recommendations on, among other things, how to encourage more victims to report rape; ensure that more cases progress further through the criminal justice system; fairly increase conviction rates; and build satisfaction and confidence in how rape complaints are handled.

The Stern Review will take account of the emerging findings of the DH Taskforce led by Professor Sir George Alberti on the Health Aspects of Violence Against Women and Girls, which is due to report early next year, and the work being done by Sara Payne, the Victims Champion. Sara Payne will be speaking to rape victims about their experience of the Criminal Justice System, as well as to the police and CPS, and is due to report by the end of October. Her work will inform the Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy due to be published by the end of the year.

Ms Harman said:

“Convictions for rape have increased 50 per cent since 1997, but with less than seven per cent of reported rapes leading to a successful prosecution we clearly must do more.

“Many more women are reporting rapes, but the Reid and Worboys cases show that despite this these men were getting away with it time and time again.

“So I am concerned that we must have a systematic examination of the way rape complaints are handled: the Stern Review will help identify good practice and where those failures are happening so that we can take action.”

Home Secretary Alan Johnson said:

“Rape is an appalling crime which has a horrendous impact on victims. The conviction rate for cases prosecuted is the highest for ten years; the average sentence for rape is increasing, and reporting of rape has doubled since 1997, but clearly more needs to be done.

“Recent cases highlight how important it is that every police force is consistent in its approach. In April the Home Office announced measures to ensure victims receive a high-quality service from the criminal justice system in England and Wales, regardless of where the crime is reported. The Stern review, informed by the excellent work Sara Payne is doing with victims, will help bring more perpetrators of sexual violence to justice and help ensure all victims of rape get the support and service they need.”

Solicitor General Vera Baird QC MP, said:

“Rape is a devastating crime that traumatises victims and shatters lives. There has been progress in tackling rape; but the fact is conviction rates are far too low. We need a step change in the way rape complaints are handled, and the Stern Review should help us identify how we can improve the handling of rape complaints and drive up convictions rates.”

The Stern Review Terms of Reference are:

• To examine the response of the public authorities to rape complaints and examine how more victims can be encouraged to report;

• To explore ways in which the attrition rate in criminal cases can be reduced and, how to fairly increase the conviction rate;

• To identify how to increase victim and witness satisfaction, and confidence in the CJS in addressing rape;

• To explore public and professional attitudes to rape and how they impact on outcomes;

• To utilise findings and information available from other relevant work, particularly the work on victims’ experience being led by Sara Payne and the Department of Health Taskforce led by Professor Sir George Alberti, avoiding unnecessary duplication;

• And to make recommendations, with particular reference to improving the implementation of current policies and procedures.

In 2006/7, there were more than 13,000 rapes reported to police in England and Wales. The number of rape convictions was 50 per cent higher in 2007 than in 1997, but still only 6.5 per cent of reported rapes lead to a successful prosecution.

The Stern Review will start immediately, and will report back early in the new year to the Minister for Women and Equality, the Home Secretary, the Solicitor General, and the Minister with responsibility for victims at the Ministry of Justice.

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