Survivor calls on new Victims’ Commissioner and PM to help end ‘impunity’ for rapists

She says the “abysmally low conviction rate” for rapists must be tackled head-on.

The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, was subjected to child sexual abuse and rape in adulthood, but witnessed her abusers evade charges.

She said: “It’s unfathomable that over 98 per cent of rape cases in the UK result in zero criminal charges.

“This shocking reality supports perpetrators to continue offending, and has created a culture of impunity. We cannot continue tolerating a scenario where such a high percentage of rapists go unpunished.

“I reported a rape in 2019, and the man who violated me was never arrested, merely called in for a ‘chat’ having left me beaten and bruised. I was my child sexual abusers sixth victim and neither of them were even charged, despite five other women reporting him.

“Unlike other crimes, sexual assault victims are often disbelieved, and there is not only no justice, they are treated like perpetrators with their medical records, phone activity and sexual history scoured over and weaponised against them.”

The Victims’ Commissioner will play a pivotal role in scrutinising the Victims and Prisoners Bill, with the aim of enhancing experiences of the criminal justice system.

However, the rape survivor said she remains sceptical about how impactful her role can be, since the previous commissioner claims she was sidelined, and there does not appear to be a firm commitment from the Government.

“Despite the Baroness’ previous work on the touted ‘end-to-end’ Rape Review and the Government’s promises, many survivors have continued to endure a justice system that not only fails them, but re-traumatises them,” she said.

Early this month, Emily Hunt, the Ministry of Justice’s rape adviser quit over what was reported by media as a “lack of will” to make the justice system better for victims of sexual violence, following her experience of the civil service and police, where she says rape myths are still being perpetuated.

The rape survivor, who has previously worked for former MPS Commissioner, Baron Hogan-Howe, wants to see “immediate and radical reform” of the police handling of rape cases and for the UK’s criminal justice system to match the gravity of sexual assault crimes.

“It is clear from what both Ms Hunt has said, that every part of the justice system needs educating and that the culture is changed, which includes tackling rape myths head-on in the civil service and police,” she said.

“Other essential measures include increasing police referrals to the Crown Prosecution Service, re-evaluating charging thresholds, and substituting public juries – notorious for biases and their belief in ‘rape myths’ – with a specialised panel to ensure a fairer system for victims.”

She said figures from Rape Crisis show 67,169 rapes were recorded by the police in 2022, but charges were brought in just 1.9 per cent of these cases.

She added: “Survivors are attempting suicide – not just because of the rape, but due to their horrendous experiences of the system.

“Rishi Sunak must establish a Taskforce to implement more radical and urgent reforms, as the rape review has failed to transform the justice system in the way that victims need and deserve.”

The College of Policing is currently rolling out a new programme that will train police officers and staff to provide the “best possible support and understanding” to victims of rape and sexual assault.

The training will ensure first responders across England and Wales better understand the psychology of sex offenders and how they manipulate victims.

The college says it will focus on teaching officers and staff to look at the whole story surrounding a rape or sexual assault, which will help improve the quality of investigations and victim support.

The training is based on the learning from Operation Soteria, the project led by academics to improve police responses to reports of rape and serious sexual assaults.

Piloted by 19 police forces, the national operating model sets out an approach that is victim-centred, suspect-focused and context-led.

Operation Soteria is now being extended to all 43 police forces in England and Wales to transform the investigation of rape and serious sexual offences.

National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for rape and adult sexual offences, Chief Constable Sarah Crew, says it will “turn the research that we have gathered into tangible action and turn the tables on perpetrators, improve victims’ experience, secure more convictions, and protect the public”.