Recommendation 10

We agree with HMICFRS and HMCPSI that the Government should consider the merits of either establishing a dedicated commissioner for sexual violence and abuse or expanding the existing responsibilities and powers of one of our existing commissioners. The relevant commissioner could then oversee the provision of specialist support services for victims and survivors of sexual violence and abuse, as well as any mapping exercise. Importantly, they could also act to hold the Government and its operational partners to account in improving the response to rape and serious sexual assault. Any change must be backed by adequate resourcing and any future commissioner must have appropriate powers as well. The Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s powers, as laid out in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, could be a good model, with the Act requiring public sector authorities to cooperate with her and to respond to relevant recommendations she puts forward. (Paragraph 77) 78 Investigation and prosecution of rape The police response to rape