Low Charge Rates for Rape Investigations in Bedfordshire: New Government Strategy Aims to Improve Response to Violence Against Women

A new Government strategy aimed at tackling violence against women and girls has been launched, which includes a focus on prevention and improving the criminal justice response to offences that disproportionately affect women. The strategy comes as it has been revealed that a fraction of rape investigations in Bedfordshire resulted in someone being charged last year, with only 6% of 539 investigations resulting in a charge or summons. The force dropped 86% of investigations due to difficulties gathering evidence, and 5% because a suspect could not be identified.

Key Takeaways:

• In the year to March, Bedfordshire Police concluded 539 rape investigations, where the alleged victim was female, but only 32 (6%) resulted in a charge or summons.
• The force dropped 461 investigations (86%) due to difficulties gathering evidence and 28 cases (5%) because a suspect could not be identified.
• Low charge rates are seen across reports of sexual offences as a whole, with Bedfordshire Police charging a suspect in a sex offence case 153 times in 2020-21, equating to just 10% investigations closed over the period.
• The Victim's Commissioner, Vera Baird, slammed the "shameful" record, which she branded a "decriminalisation of rape".
• The Government's VAWG strategy includes a 24/7 rape and sexual assault helpline, a review of the management of registered sex offenders, and a £5million Safety of Women at Night fund.
• The Government has also said it will not rule out making public street harassment, such as wolf whistling and cat-calling, a specific crime.
• A charity, Victim Support, said only a societal change will end crimes against women, and it is vital there is a shift from the victim blaming culture and poor police treatment for victims.
• Bedfordshire Police have made notable improvements to how crime is investigated, with dedicated teams making significant developments in victim care, which have resulted in increased positive outcome rates.

Statistics:

• 539 rape investigations concluded by Bedfordshire Police in the year to March.
• 32 charges or summons issued in rape investigations, equating to 6% of all investigations.
• 461 investigations dropped due to difficulties gathering evidence, equating to 86% of all investigations.
• 28 cases dropped because a suspect could not be identified, equating to 5% of all investigations.
• 153 charges issued in sex offence cases in 2020-21, equating to 10% of all investigations.
• £5million Safety of Women at Night fund.
• 6.5% of harassment investigations across England and Wales resulted in a charge or summons.

Sources:

• [The Telegraph]
• [BBC News]
• [Government's VAWG strategy]
• [Victim Support]
• [Bedfordshire Police]