Introduction
The myths surrounding rape and sexual violence currently lie not only within our society but have infiltrated our police, legal system and legislation due to archaic and outdated misconceptions. Important institutional apparatus reform to reflect the current societal change in attitudes towards this crime has resulted in an increase in conviction rates. Most notably the reform of evidence and procedural rules regarding the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act , the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act and the Criminal Justice Act . Yet an increase in conviction rates can be said to not be a useful way to fully measure ‘success’ however, nor an effective way to stop sexual violence to the extent where it is near eradicated …show more content…
Offenders are provided with the opportunity to transform and victims, to recover. Victims have vital access to organisations such as Victim Support and NHS Choices to enable a safe and long-term recovery. Not only this, but the CPS provides protection for the victims such as Anonymity, therefore allowing victims to have the mental security and assurance they are protected. However it was found that many women do not have access to a Rape Crisis Centre. Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer QC stated "The evidence is clear that ten years of progress is paying off and not only are the conviction rates steadily increasing, but our service to victims is also improving.” With such an improvement to the system, an increase in conviction rates denotes a step forward in stopping sexual violence including that of its effects. “These results send a powerful message to perpetrators that they are more likely than ever to be convicted for their crimes.” It must be noted that not only is increasing rates providing protection yet also acting as a deterrent, and “spares the victim the need to relive their experience in court” which has been described as being “raped all over …show more content…
The short answer is no. The disposition of rape and sexual violence itself is one of the most closed and frankly ambiguous offences. Due to the nature of the offence, many victims feel ‘embarrassed’, ‘it is a private/family matter’ and ‘the police couldn’t do much to help’. Approximately 15% of rapes and sexual offences are reported. This may be due to the multitude of factors. Most notably a mistrust of the system, as 70% of those on Offender’s Behaviour Programmes who have offended before will offend again once released, whilst this is even if the case is one of the 1 in 30 that actually results in conviction. Thus denoting that the police and legal system still, does not instil hope in
The myths surrounding rape and sexual violence currently lie not only within our society but have infiltrated our police, legal system and legislation due to archaic and outdated misconceptions. Important institutional apparatus reform to reflect the current societal change in attitudes towards this crime has resulted in an increase in conviction rates. Most notably the reform of evidence and procedural rules regarding the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act , the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act and the Criminal Justice Act . Yet an increase in conviction rates can be said to not be a useful way to fully measure ‘success’ however, nor an effective way to stop sexual violence to the extent where it is near eradicated …show more content…
Offenders are provided with the opportunity to transform and victims, to recover. Victims have vital access to organisations such as Victim Support and NHS Choices to enable a safe and long-term recovery. Not only this, but the CPS provides protection for the victims such as Anonymity, therefore allowing victims to have the mental security and assurance they are protected. However it was found that many women do not have access to a Rape Crisis Centre. Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer QC stated "The evidence is clear that ten years of progress is paying off and not only are the conviction rates steadily increasing, but our service to victims is also improving.” With such an improvement to the system, an increase in conviction rates denotes a step forward in stopping sexual violence including that of its effects. “These results send a powerful message to perpetrators that they are more likely than ever to be convicted for their crimes.” It must be noted that not only is increasing rates providing protection yet also acting as a deterrent, and “spares the victim the need to relive their experience in court” which has been described as being “raped all over …show more content…
The short answer is no. The disposition of rape and sexual violence itself is one of the most closed and frankly ambiguous offences. Due to the nature of the offence, many victims feel ‘embarrassed’, ‘it is a private/family matter’ and ‘the police couldn’t do much to help’. Approximately 15% of rapes and sexual offences are reported. This may be due to the multitude of factors. Most notably a mistrust of the system, as 70% of those on Offender’s Behaviour Programmes who have offended before will offend again once released, whilst this is even if the case is one of the 1 in 30 that actually results in conviction. Thus denoting that the police and legal system still, does not instil hope in