challenge geared toward countering misconceptions surrounding sexual hurt at trial has been introduced by the Legislation Fee.
The authorized evaluation physique’s challenge will even assess how proof is used within the prosecution of sexual offences.
It comes after a evaluation into how the felony justice system handles rape circumstances discovered one in two victims who report being raped withdrew from the investigation.
In June, the Authorities’s ‘rape evaluation’ discovered that prices, prosecutions and convictions for rape have fallen over the past 5 years, regardless of the prevalence of sexual crimes remaining regular.
This vital evaluation will look carefully at the right way to enhance the trial course of – guaranteeing solely related proof is used and that damaging misconceptions about these crimes are consigned to the previous
The Legislation Fee’s new evaluation will scrutinise the regulation, steering and apply referring to the trial course of in prosecutions of sexual offences – together with rape – and take into account the necessity for reform.
The challenge goals to extend the understanding of consent and sexual hurt and enhance the therapy of victims, whereas guaranteeing that defendants obtain a good trial.
Justice minister Victoria Atkins stated the evaluation will look carefully at the right way to enhance the trial course of by guaranteeing solely related proof is used and that damaging misconceptions – often known as “rape myths” – about these crimes are “consigned to the previous”.
She stated: “It is important victims of rape and sexual violence believe within the justice system and are handled with the utmost equity in court docket.
“This vital evaluation will look carefully at the right way to enhance the trial course of – guaranteeing solely related proof is used and that damaging misconceptions about these crimes are consigned to the previous.
“We’re grateful to the Legislation Fee for finishing up this work, which builds on the Authorities’s motion plan to remodel the response to rape and enhance the quantity of circumstances going by way of the system.”