#Rape
The distressing truth is that if you are raped in Britain today, your chances of seeing justice are slim
In her 2021/22 Annual Report, Dame Vera Baird reflects on the investigation and prosecution of rape in England and Wales.
“Enormous” court backlogs represent “a serious and fundamental challenge to our justice system” – Victims’ Commissioner
Dame Vera Baird publishes her annual report reflecting on her first term as Victims’ Commissioner and the challenges facing victims and the justice system.
“Enormous” court backlog takes “tremendous tolls” on victims
The Victims' Commissioner reacts to the latest criminal court statistics, which show "enormous" court backlogs are leaving victims waiting on average 436 days for their case to come to court.
Criminal justice system continues to fail rape victims
"We are now not short on recommendations. Ultimately, the problems in investigating and prosecuting rapes are plain and clear and it is drive and leadership to bring fundamental change on the ground that is now urgently needed."
Rape offences recorded by police increase to new annual high
Dame Vera Baird said most worrying was Home Office data showing 30 per cent of victims withdrew reports of rape within three months, suggesting their experience had been so bad and traumatic that they could not go through with the prosecution.
BLOG: Without basic access to justice, the integrity of the military is at risk
It’s time to give victims of rape and sexual assault in the armed forces access to independent, civilian support and justice.
New privacy safeguards: rape victims’ mobile phone data to be protected from unjustified intrusion
The Government agrees to amend Police, Crime, Sentencing & Courts Bill to protect victim privacy, whilst ensuring fair trial rights.
Rape victims are waiting more than a year for cases to go to trial, making prosecution targets a ‘pipe-dream’
New quarterly Crown Prosecution Service data shows that in the last 12 months just 41 extra suspects were charged compared with the year before.
CPS data shows how far government has to go to meet promises to rape victims
Victims’ Commissioner criticises the CPS as she says "it is hard to see even the green shoots of a recovery" in rape prosecutions.
Rape Review: An extraordinary mea culpa can’t disguise serious compromise
In her 2020/21 Annual Report, Dame Vera Baird reflects on the government's end-to-end rape review.