Harman, Johnson, Baird: Review of Rape Complaints
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.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Please contact the Government Equalities
Office press office on 0207 276 0932.
NOTES FOR EDITORS
- The Government Equalities
Office is responsible for the Government’s overall
strategy, legislation and priorities on equality issues. It was
established in July 2007. The Office also has direct responsibility
for policy on gender equality, sexual orientation, and for
integrating work on race.
- Baroness Stern: Vivien Stern
has been a Crossbench peer since 1999 and from 2004 to 2008 was the
Crossbench member of the Parliamentary Human Rights
Committee. She has spent her working life in criminal justice
reform in the UK and worldwide and has written extensively on crime
and criminal justice. Since 1997 she has been a Senior
Research Fellow at International Centre for Prison Studies at Kings
College, London.
- Sara Payne’s recommendations will also inform
the inspection of police force and Crown Prosecution Service areas
next year by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Her
Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate.
- Across the country, there are now 29 Sexual
Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) and 43 Independent Sexual Violence
Advisers (ISVAs) who offer practical support for victims of sexual
violence.
- Around £12 million has been invested in
services for rape victims over the last five years, including to
more than £2million in grants to third sector Rape Crisis
Centres.
- The Home Office announced a series of
measures in April aimed at ensuring that victims receive a
consistent and high quality service from the criminal justice
system whenever they reported.
About the Rape Complaints
Review
- The Review will cover England and Wales only
as criminal justice matters are devolved. Northern Ireland and
Scotland will be informed of the findings.
- The Review will not look at
legislation as responses to the VAWG strategy indicated the law is
adequate; it is the implementation that is failing.
- The Review is jointly commissioned by the
Government Equalities Office and the Home Office.
- The Review will cover the following public
authorities:
- Police
- CPS
- The Court Service (in their administrative
functions)
- The NHS (via the Department of Health
Taskforce which Professor Sir George Alberti is leading)
- Inspectorate and training bodies for the
above
- Local authorities at a strategic level
- Victim experience (assisted by the work being
done by Sara Payne)
- Although not covered by the Review, the
judiciary will be consulted for a judicial perspective on how the
process operates.