Fewer than a dozen people convicted of rape in Warwickshire last year – as hundreds of offences recorded

Fewer than a dozen people were convicted of rape in Warwickshire last year as hundreds of new offences were recorded by police, new figures show, suggesting victims are rarely seeing justice done.
PICTURE POSED BY A MODEL Undated photo of a woman sitting on a sofa. Three specialist rape courts are to be set up in England as part of a pilot scheme designed to improve dismal conviction rates for serious sexual offences. Issue date: Thursday June 16, 2022.PICTURE POSED BY A MODEL Undated photo of a woman sitting on a sofa. Three specialist rape courts are to be set up in England as part of a pilot scheme designed to improve dismal conviction rates for serious sexual offences. Issue date: Thursday June 16, 2022.
PICTURE POSED BY A MODEL Undated photo of a woman sitting on a sofa. Three specialist rape courts are to be set up in England as part of a pilot scheme designed to improve dismal conviction rates for serious sexual offences. Issue date: Thursday June 16, 2022.

Fewer than a dozen people were convicted of rape in Warwickshire last year as hundreds of new offences were recorded by police, new figures show, suggesting victims are rarely seeing justice done.

The Government announced a new pilot court scheme last week in a bid to increase low prosecution and conviction rates across England and Wales.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The initiative means prosecutors, police officers and other staff at pilot courts in Newcastle, Leeds and Snaresbrook in London will receive specialist trauma training, with any conclusions learned rolled out across the country to increase the volume and speed of rape cases going through the system.

Rape Crisis said the courts are a step in the right direction to arrest "appalling prosecution rates" but that more information is needed on how they will work.

Ministry of Justice figures show five rape cases were heard in court in 2021 following investigations by Warwickshire Police, with 11 resulting in convictions – down from 17 in 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic.

But 565 alleged rapes were recorded by the force last year, separate Home Office data outlines, meaning only a fraction are likely to lead to a conviction.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Across England and Wales, there were 895 rape convictions – compared to 67,125 new cases.

Justice Secretary Dominic Raab said the pilot courts, which are due to be operational in October, "will focus on improving support for victims, tackling the backlog and reducing delays".

"We’re also rolling out pre-recorded evidence faster, recruiting 1,000 sexual violence advisors, developing a 24/7 helpline and improving collaboration between police and prosecutors to ensure victims get the justice they deserve," added Mr Raab.

But Jayne Butler, chief executive of Rape Crisis, said enough is not known about how the specialist courts will work and insisted a "proper consultation with specialist sexual violence support services" is needed.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ms Butler also highlighted how low prosecution rates have "effectively decriminalised" rape and discouraged victims from coming forward and reporting crimes.

In Warwickshire, just 1% of the 403 rape investigations concluded by police last year led to a charge or summons.

Some 31% of cases were dropped due to evidential difficulties, despite the support of the victim and the suspect being identified, while a further 59% were dropped because the victim did not support further action.

No suspect was identified in 8% of cases.

Across England and Wales, just 2% of 42,203 concluded investigations led to a prosecution.

Ms Butler said: "The vast majority of victims and survivors seeking criminal justice are being hugely let down by the system."