CPS accused of ‘systemic illegality’ in charging rape cases – The Guardian

Posted January 27th, 2021 in codes of practice, Crown Prosecution Service, equality, news, prosecutions, rape, women by sally

‘The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has been accused of “systemic illegality” in its approach to charging rape cases in a landmark judicial review into how the crime is prosecuted.’

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The Guardian, 26th January 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

‘They decided the jury wouldn’t believe me’: CPS accused of secret change to rape policy – The Guardian

Posted January 25th, 2021 in Crown Prosecution Service, juries, news, prosecutions, rape, sexual offences, victims by tracey

‘In a landmark hearing this week, rape victims aim to discover if their complaints failed due to a covert move to drop “weak cases.” ‘

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The Guardian, 24th January 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Landmark hearing to examine handling of domestic abuse cases by UK courts – The Guardian

‘A landmark hearing in the court of appeal is under way to examine how cases of domestic abuse are handled by judges in the family courts.’

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The Guardian, 19th January 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Solo 45 has jail term increased to 30 years on appeal – BBC News

Posted January 18th, 2021 in appeals, news, rape, sentencing, sexual offences, victims by sally

‘A grime artist convicted of repeatedly raping four women has had his jail sentence increased on appeal.’

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BBC News, 16th January 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Peers vote to ban spies from committing murder, rape and torture under new law – The Independent

Posted January 14th, 2021 in bills, intelligence services, investigatory powers, murder, news, rape, spying, torture by tracey

‘Peers have voted to ban spies from committing murder, rape and torture under a controversial new law – three months after MPs refused to bring in the same restrictions.’

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The Independent, 13th January 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Rape and sexual assault: ‘Money needed’ to speed up investigations – BBC News

‘Police and prosecutors need more resources as sexual assault and rape investigations are taking longer, a charity that supports victims has said.’

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BBC News, 14th December 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Police drop rape investigation into Tory ex-minister – The Independent

Posted December 14th, 2020 in appeals, evidence, news, parliament, police, political parties, rape, sexual offences, victims by tracey

‘Police have dropped their investigation into a Conservative MP and ex-minister who was arrested after a woman accused him of rape.’

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The Independent, 13th December 2020

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Serial rapists receive longer minimum jail terms after appeal – BBC News

Posted December 11th, 2020 in appeals, imprisonment, news, rape, recidivists, sentencing, sexual offences by tracey

‘Two serial rapists with life sentences will have the minimum time they must spend in prison extended from 30 to 40 years, the High Court has ruled.’

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BBC News, 11th December 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Lucy McHugh: Social workers caseload ‘too high’ before girl’s murder – BBC News

Posted December 7th, 2020 in local government, murder, news, rape, sexual grooming, sexual offences, social services by sally

‘Social workers’ caseloads were “too high” in the months before a 13-year-old girl was murdered by a man lodging in her home, a council boss has said.’

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BBC News, 6th December 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

CPS says: How we’re working to overcome harmful rape myths and stereotypes – Crown Prosecution Service

‘As an experienced prosecutor of rape and serious sexual offences, I never underestimate the courage it takes for a victim to report such a deeply violating and distressing event to police. CPS staff, especially those on our RASSO teams are all too aware of the unique barriers many face when deciding whether to report offences relating to sexual assault; these include shame, guilt, fear of the process, fear of not being believed, shock, cultural context, embarrassment, language barriers and fear of reprisal from the community.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 29th November 2020

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Government urged to fix ‘disastrous state’ of rape prosecutions – The Guardian

‘An alliance of women’s organisations is calling for radical reforms to address the “disastrous state” of rape investigations and prosecutions, including a ministerial lead, a commission on juries and a ban on the use of sexual history evidence.’

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The Guardian, 30th November 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Jonathan Maertens: Man who raped girls jailed – BBC News

‘A “prolific” sex attacker who raped and abused girls has been jailed for life.’

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BBC News, 23rd November 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Killer drug GHB ‘should be reclassified’, says official report – BBC News

Posted November 20th, 2020 in bereavement, drug abuse, families, homosexuality, murder, news, rape, sexual offences by sally

‘A drug that was weaponised by the UK’s most prolific rapist and the serial killer Stephen Port should be reclassified, says an official report.’

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BBC News, 20th November 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Consent and fertility – 2 Hare Court

Posted November 17th, 2020 in consent, deceit, news, pregnancy, rape by sally

‘This judgment, handed down in July 2020, examines the limitations of the meaning of consent within s.74 Sexual Offences Act 2003. It held that a man’s lie about his fertility should not be deemed to be so closely connected to the nature or purpose of sexual intercourse that it is capable of negating consent.’

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2 Hare Court, 2nd November 2020

Source: www.2harecourt.com

Convictions for rapes in London less likely than in 2015, research shows – The Guardian

Posted October 27th, 2020 in London, news, prosecutions, rape, sexual offences by sally

‘The London assembly’s police and crime committee has written to the lord chancellor, Robert Buckland, amid concerns over a “toxic combination” of falling convictions in rape and sexual offence cases despite a rise in reports and a backlog of cases in the courts.’

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The Guardian, 26th October 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Rape prosecutions and convictions dropped by half early in UK pandemic – The Guardian

‘Prosecutions for crimes against women and girls in England and Wales plummeted in the first three months of the coronavirus pandemic, reflecting a backlog in the court system exacerbated by the UK-wide shutdown and subsequent social distancing measures.’

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The Guardian, 22nd October 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Letters to UK crime victims from CPS ‘unsatisfactory’ – The Guardian

Posted October 22nd, 2020 in Crown Prosecution Service, news, prosecutions, rape, reasons, reports, victims by sally

‘Letters to victims of rape and other crimes sent by the Crown Prosecution Service explaining legal decisions are of poor quality, lack human empathy and are frequently late, according to an official watchdog.’

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The Guardian, 22nd October 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Sex offence case ‘failings’ by military prosecutor – BBC News

‘A military prosecutor has been accused of serious failings in his handling of sexual assault and rape cases.’

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BBC News, 21st October 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Just one in seven rape survivors expect justice in England and Wales – The Guardian

Posted October 20th, 2020 in news, police, prosecutions, rape, statistics, victims by sally

‘Just one in seven rape survivors believe they will receive justice by reporting a rape, according to a survey by the victims’ commissioner.’

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The Guardian, 20th October 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Rape prosecutors in England and Wales given new advice over dating apps – The Guardian

‘Prosecutors in England and Wales are being given new guidance over nude selfies and dating apps in rape and sexual assault cases.’

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The Guardian, 19th October 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com