#Rape

It’s time to give victims of rape and sexual assault in the armed forces access to independent, civilian support and justice.

The Government agrees to amend Police, Crime, Sentencing & Courts Bill to protect victim privacy, whilst ensuring fair trial rights.

New quarterly Crown Prosecution Service data shows that in the last 12 months just 41 extra suspects were charged compared with the year before.

Victims’ Commissioner criticises the CPS as she says "it is hard to see even the green shoots of a recovery" in rape prosecutions.

In her 2020/21 Annual Report, Dame Vera Baird reflects on the government's end-to-end rape review.

"We have to seize this moment if we are to escape this crisis on our justice system," says Victims' Commissioner, as she warns the government has a "mountain to climb" to restore victim confidence in the justice system.

“Far too few rape cases are resulting in a charge and hundreds of complainants annually are being denied justice," says Dame Vera Baird.

Dame Vera Baird responds to the judgement in the judicial review of the prosecution of rape and serious sexual offences and calls for the government's end-to-end rape review to now deliver "deep and meaningful change".

"Things must change and they must change soon." Dame Vera Baird calls latest rape statistics “shameful” and says “we cannot go on like this".

Dame Vera Baird welcomes renewed investment in ISVAs and IDVAs but stresses the need for long-term, sustainable funding for the sector.