A review of rape
victims' experience of the criminal justice system,
published today, has been welcomed by the Home Secretary Alan Johnson.
All the immediate recommendations from the review, led by the
Victims' Champion Sara Payne, have been considered by the
Violence Against Women and Girls strategy published yesterday, including:
* A national communications strategy to challenge attitudes
towards violence against women, including rape and other forms of
sexual violence;
* The inclusion of gender equality and violence against women in
the school curriculum for Personal, Social, Health and Economic
(PSHE) lessons; and
* A further £3.2 million of funding to help establish more Sexual
Assault Referral Centres (SARCs).
In addition, work will continue on wider challenges that have
been identified by the review.
Today's publication will feed into a wider review of how
rape complaints are handled, being carried out by Baroness Stern.
It will look at how public authorities, including the police,
local authorities, health providers and the CPS, respond to rape
complaints and interact with each other. Its findings will be
published in the New Year.
Home Secretary Alan Johnson said:
"Rape is an appalling crime which has an 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.
"I welcome this review and its important contribution to
our efforts to help bring more perpetrators of sexual violence to
justice and ensure all victims of rape get the support and service
they need.
"Our Violence Against Women and Girls strategy shows
action is already planned in the areas Sara identifies, including
the need for every police force to be consistent in its
approach."
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. Sara Payne's Victim Experience Review can be found at
www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/vawg-rape-review/
2. 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.
3. Around £12 million has been invested in services for rape
victims over the last five years, including to organisations
offering specialist support, such as rape crisis centres.
4. For more information call the Home Office press office on 020
7035 3535.
233/2009
Contacts:
Home Office Press Office
Phone: 020 7035 3535
NDS.HO@coi.gsi.gov.uk