Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 3
3
Deferred
Paragraph: 49
Achieving 2016 rape prosecution levels insufficient, confidence in reaching target low
Conclusion
Whilst returning the volume of rape cases being dealt with to 2016 levels, as the Rape Review aims for, would be a step in the right direction, it should not be considered a success in and of itself, given that even in 2016, criminal justice outcomes for rape were viewed as poor. It is concerning that confidence in the system’s ability to even reach 2016 levels by the end of 2024 at the latest is low. Greater progress must be made at speed to ensure that more cases are successfully prosecuted and so more perpetrators brought to justice.
Government Response Summary
The government did not directly address the need for greater and faster progress in rape prosecutions, instead committing to improve the collection and publication of data on victims' protected characteristics and compliance with the Victims' Code through a new Victims Bill.
Paragraph Reference:
49
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
We recognise the importance of accurate and reliable data on the protected characteristics of victims. Our Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, published in July 2021, highlighted that those in certain ethnic groups were more likely to be victims of certain crime types and may be less likely to report crime to the police. Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services (HMICRS) and Her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) in their phase one inspection report on the police’s and CPS’s response to rape recommended that the police should ensure information on the protected characteristics of rape victims is accurately and consistently recorded. Accurately recorded protected characteristics are important for the police’s understanding of the prevalence and profile of rape in their local area; how best to respond, and how to ensure the victim receives the right support. Police recorded crime data that is published quarterly does not currently include data about the victim characteristics. The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) does publish data about victim characteristics, but the sample size only allows robust analysis at a national level. It is not possible to obtain from this dataset much insight about the victim’s criminal justice journey beyond their experience of the police. As a first step in gaining local insights about victim characteristics and their criminal justice journey, the Home Office has introduced a framework through the Annual Data Requirement to improve the collection of data in the year 2022/3. This includes clarifying how existing data collected on age, ethnicity, sex and gender identity should be recorded to bring it into line with the Census 2021 in England and Wales. The Home Office has also proposed the voluntary collection of data on other protected characteristics such as disability, religion or belief, gender reassignment and sexual orientation. The Ministry of Justice published a draft Victims Bill on 25 May. The Bill will place a duty on criminal justice agencies to collect data to review their compliance with the Victims’ Code, with a role for Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) to convene local compliance monitoring to ensure the criminal justice system is held accountable for delivering the Victims’ Code. We will use the data that emerges from this exercise to develop new metrics for the local CJS delivery data dashboard. This data will be published quarterly, ensuring transparency, increasing understanding of the justice system, and supporting collaboration at a local level, especially through the Local Criminal Justice Boards (LCJBs).