Women’s Aid responds to the government’s end-to-end rape review report

Farah Nazeer, Chief Executive of Women’s Aid, said:

“After two years, we welcome the publication of the government’s review into how the criminal justice system handles rape. However we cannot call this an ‘end to end’ review as the government failed to directly engage with survivors, and the report fails to tackle the culture of disbelief and victim blaming that continues to prevent women and girls from accessing justice.

The government’s report rightfully recognises that the criminal justice is failing rape survivors and highlights problems with how rape investigations are conducted and cases are prepared. But it fails to even address the major barriers that women face when reporting rape in the first place, and ignores urgent concerns about the inequalities facing Black and minoritised women and other marginalised groups in the criminal justice system.

The report highlights a number of crucial issues that have led to the appalling drop in rape prosecutions over the past five years. The government has committed to action to tackle this – setting targets for rape cases reaching court and expanding Operation Soteria to transform the response of the police and CPS in four local areas. Yet overall, the action plan lacks ambition, accountability and crucially, the long-term funding needed, to deliver real change for survivors.

We need to see commitment and leadership from the government and across the criminal justice system to deliver justice for all survivors of rape and fully-fund the specialist women’s support services they desperately need.”