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We recognise that some of our action plans for the police were disproportionate. We were slow to respond, and we could have communicated better with police and stakeholders on how we were managing the pressures of these cases. However, without doubt, there are things we at the CPS could have done differently - either better or more quickly - to get a grip on the drop in rape prosecutions. I am confident that our prosecutors are making the right legal decisions, applying the legal test fairly and objectively in order to bring even the most complex and challenging of cases whenever it is possible to do so.
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The cross-Government rape review found the reasons for the decline were complex and wide ranging and identified changes that are needed at every stage in the criminal justice system. We have worked hard to understand and address the reasons behind the stark drop in the number of offenders brought to justice since 2016.
FOCUSED SCRUTINY PATHFINDER UPDATE
This paper provides an update on the actions and progress we have made since the publication of our five-year strategy on Rape and Serious Sexual Offences - RASSO 2025 - in July 2020. Leading this transformation will need sustained focus. We want to secure justice in every possible rape case, which means increasing significantly the number we bring to court, year on year. The CPS has looked at every aspect of our work so we can drive up the number of rape cases going to court, and build confidence that all rape victims and suspects are treated fairly. Without doubt there is a crisis of public trust in the criminal justice response to rape and crimes of violence against women and girls. Victims of this most invasive abuse can suffer lasting trauma, and too often their experience of the criminal justice system adds to their suffering. Rape is a truly devastating and life-changing crime. We have included figures for both 2019//21.
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On 24 February 2022 we incorporated more data into the strategy update to correct the current figures on police recorded crimes and referrals to the CPS.
FOCUSED SCRUTINY PATHFINDER PDF
Preparing for court and the trial itselfÄownload a PDF version of this report (approx 922kb).How we make a decision on what to do in each case.How we work with the police to build the case.