The review, led by Baroness Stern, will look in particular at how public authorities (including the police, local authorities, health providers, the Crown Prosecution Service, etc) not only respond individually to rape complaints, but how they interact with each other, as well as professionals’ attitudes to rape and evidence from the victims.
The Stern Review will make recommendations on, among other things, how to encourage more victims to report rape; ensure that more cases progress further through the criminal justice system; fairly increase conviction rates; and build satisfaction and confidence in how rape complaints are handled.
The Stern Review will take account of the emerging findings of the DH Taskforce led by Professor Sir George Alberti on the Health Aspects of Violence Against Women and Girls, which is due to report early next year, and the work being done by Sara Payne, the Victims Champion. Sara Payne will be speaking to rape victims about their experience of the Criminal Justice System, as well as to the police and CPS, and is due to report by the end of October. Her work will inform the Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy due to be published by the end of the year.
Ms Harman said:
“Convictions for rape have increased 50 per cent since 1997, but with less than seven per cent of reported rapes leading to a successful prosecution we clearly must do more.
“Many more women are reporting rapes, but the Reid and Worboys cases show that despite this these men were getting away with it time and time again.
“So I am concerned that we must have a systematic examination of the way rape complaints are handled: the Stern Review will help identify good practice and where those failures are happening so that we can take action.”
Home Secretary Alan Johnson said:
“Rape is an appalling crime which has a horrendous impact on victims. The conviction rate for cases prosecuted is the highest for ten years; the average sentence for rape is increasing, and reporting of rape has doubled since 1997, but clearly more needs to be done.
“Recent cases highlight how important it is that every police force is consistent in its approach. In April the Home Office announced measures to ensure victims receive a high-quality service from the criminal justice system in England and Wales, regardless of where the crime is reported. The Stern review, informed by the excellent work Sara Payne is doing with victims, will help bring more perpetrators of sexual violence to justice and help ensure all victims of rape get the support and service they need.”
Solicitor General Vera Baird QC MP, said:
“Rape is a devastating crime that traumatises victims and shatters lives. There has been progress in tackling rape; but the fact is conviction rates are far too low. We need a step change in the way rape complaints are handled, and the Stern Review should help us identify how we can improve the handling of rape complaints and drive up convictions rates.”
The Stern Review Terms of Reference are:
• To examine the response of the public authorities to rape complaints and examine how more victims can be encouraged to report;
• To explore ways in which the attrition rate in criminal cases can be reduced and, how to fairly increase the conviction rate;
• To identify how to increase victim and witness satisfaction, and confidence in the CJS in addressing rape;
• To explore public and professional attitudes to rape and how they impact on outcomes;
• To utilise findings and information available from other relevant work, particularly the work on victims’ experience being led by Sara Payne and the Department of Health Taskforce led by Professor Sir George Alberti, avoiding unnecessary duplication;
• And to make recommendations, with particular reference to improving the implementation of current policies and procedures.
In 2006/7, there were more than 13,000 rapes reported to police in England and Wales. The number of rape convictions was 50 per cent higher in 2007 than in 1997, but still only 6.5 per cent of reported rapes lead to a successful prosecution.
The Stern Review will start immediately, and will report back early in the new year to the Minister for Women and Equality, the Home Secretary, the Solicitor General, and the Minister with responsibility for victims at the Ministry of Justice.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Please contact the Government Equalities Office press office on 0207 276 0932.
NOTES FOR EDITORS
• The Government Equalities Office is responsible for the Government’s overall strategy, legislation and priorities on equality issues. It was established in July 2007. The Office also has direct responsibility for policy on gender equality, sexual orientation, and for integrating work on race.
• Baroness Stern: Vivien Stern has been a Crossbench peer since 1999 and from 2004 to 2008 was the Crossbench member of the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee. She has spent her working life in criminal justice reform in the UK and worldwide and has written extensively on crime and criminal justice. Since 1997 she has been a Senior Research Fellow at International Centre for Prison Studies at Kings College, London.
• Sara Payne’s recommendations will also inform the inspection of police force and Crown Prosecution Service areas next year by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate.
• Across the country, there are now 29 Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) and 43 Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVAs) who offer practical support for victims of sexual violence.
• Around £12 million has been invested in services for rape victims over the last five years, including to more than £2million in grants to third sector Rape Crisis Centres.
• The Home Office announced a series of measures in April aimed at ensuring that victims receive a consistent and high quality service from the criminal justice system whenever they reported.
About the Rape Complaints Review
• The Review will cover England and Wales only as criminal justice matters are devolved. Northern Ireland and Scotland will be informed of the findings.
• The Review will not look at legislation as responses to the VAWG strategy indicated the law is adequate; it is the implementation that is failing.
• The Review is jointly commissioned by the Government Equalities Office and the Home Office.
• The Review will cover the following public authorities:
* Police
* CPS
* The Court Service (in their administrative functions)
* The NHS (via the Department of Health Taskforce which Professor Sir George Alberti is leading)
* Inspectorate and training bodies for the above
* Local authorities at a strategic level
* Victim experience (assisted by the work being done by Sara Payne)
• Although not covered by the Review, the judiciary will be consulted for a judicial perspective on how the process operates.