Rape: Prosecutions and Convictions

Baroness Gale Excerpts

Monday 14th September 2020 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Baroness Gale]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they intend to take to increase the number of prosecutions and convictions in rape cases.

[The Advocate-General for Scotland (Lord Keen of Elie) (Con) [V]]

My Lords, there is ongoing work to improve the handling of these sensitive cases and to narrow the disparity between offences reported and cases going to court. In July, the CPS published its rape strategy—the first of its kind for any department. There is also an ongoing cross-government review of the criminal justice response to rape, and this is examining evidence across the system about the causes of the falls in outcomes for rape and identifying solutions to reverse the trend.

[Baroness Gale (Lab) [V]]

I thank the Minister for his reply but, according to police records, there were 55,130 cases of rape but only 2,102 prosecutions and 1,439 convictions in England and Wales, until March this year. With the prosecution and conviction rates at an all-time low, can the Minister say how on earth this happened? Swift action is needed, so how long will it take to improve these figures? What measures will he take to ensure that confidence can be restored for those who seek justice?