False rape allegations a ‘misplaced belief’ says CPS

False allegations of rape or domestic violence are “very rare” but create serious problems, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has found in its first detailed study into the issue.

In a 17-month period over 2011 and 2012 examined by the CPS, there were 5,651 prosecutions for rape and 111,891 for domestic violence. There were also 35 prosecutions for false allegations of rape, from 159 charging decisions, with six more prosecutions for untruthful accusations of domestic violence and three covering both crimes.

In total, there is a prosecution over a false rape claim for every 161 cases brought, amounting to 0.62 per cent. When including domestic violence cases, the false accusation rate drops to 0.04 per cent.

The report also cited the 73 per cent conviction rate in cases of violence against women and girls as evidence that the criminal justice system is improving the way it deals with domestic violence and sexual offences, which are often difficult to identify. It described the recent developments in training and guidance as “encouraging”, with better working between agencies and more support for victims.

Keir Starmer, director for public prosecution (DPP), said the “trailblazing” report provided the first clear picture on false rape allegations and their consequences, confounding the “misplaced belief” of many that untruthful complaints were common. He claimed the results showed CPS guidance is “broadly in the right place” and would provide further support to victims, adding the small minority of false, baseless accusations would face tough action.

“Victims of rape and domestic violence must not be deterred from reporting the abuse they have suffered,” he said.

“Where false allegations of rape and domestic violence do occur, however, they are serious: reputations can be ruined and lives can be devastated as a result. Such cases will be dealt with robustly and those falsely accused should feel confident that the criminal justice system will prosecute these cases wherever there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to do so.”

More than half the false reports were made by young people, 18 per cent of whom had mental health problems, of which some “had undoubtedly been the victim of some kind of offence”. The CPS said this highlights the difficulties surrounding the issue, such as some complainants being put under pressure to retract accusations or withdrawing them when they feel they would not be believed, which demands a more rounded response.

“This review has highlighted the complex nature of these cases,” the report said. “Prosecutors need to look critically at the behaviour and credibility of all those involved, not just the person making the complaint.”

Rape Crisis, a charity which supports victims of rape in England and Wales, backed the findings of the report, saying they supported the DPP’s stance on prosecuting false accusers, and called for the focus to shift to providing support for victims.

A spokesperson said: “Our service users tell us that among the main reasons they are reluctant to engage with the criminal justice system is the fear of not being believed.

“The widespread myth that false reporting is common and that women routinely lie about being raped, perpetuated by disproportionate and distorted media coverage, fuels this fear and so contributes to an environment in which rape survivors don’t get access to the support and justice they need and deserve.”

Kate Green, Shadow Equalities Minister, said: “Today’s report is crystal clear: false claims of rape are very rare. Yet women continue to feel they won’t be believed and are discouraged from reporting sexual violence. It’s high time we tackled the culture of disbelief and ensure more effective and accessible ways for women to be able to report domestic and sexual violence.”