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<p>The Government does not seek to influence the outcome of trial processes, which
are underpinned by judicial independence and the right to a fair trial. Instead, through
our Rape Review Action Plan, we are delivering a programme of work to significantly
increase the number of adult rape cases reaching court.</p><p>We have already exceeded
each of our ambitions to return the number of adult rape cases referred by the police,
charged by the CPS and reaching court to 2016 levels ahead of schedule, with the number
of adult rape cases reaching court now 13% higher than in 2016. In addition, the latest
data shows that prosecutions and convictions for adult rape have increased on the
previous year, with prosecutions volumes now higher than they were in 2010, when we
came into Government.</p><p>But we are determined to go further. We continue to deliver
a range of actions that will allow us to go further in increasing the number of adult
rape cases reaching court. This includes:</p><ul><li>Through Operation Soteria, we
are transforming the way that the police investigate an CPS prosecute adult rape,
focusing on suspect behaviour over victim credibility through our new, transformative
National Operating Models.</li><li>Having recruited 20,000 new police officers, bringing
the total number to a record peak, we will train over 2,000 officers to become specialist
rape investigators by April 2024, making sure the police have the skills and resources
to deal with these complex cases.</li><li>We are quadrupling victims funding by 2024/25,
up from £41 million in 2009/10, which will enable us to increase the number of Independent
Sexual Violence and Domestic Abuse Advisors by 300 to over 1,000 – a 43% increase
by 2024/5.</li><li>Our national rollout of pre-recorded cross examination for victims
of sexual and modern slavery offences is being used in over 150 cases per month, sparing
victims from the glare of court and ensuring they can give their best evidence.</li><li>And
to ensure we reduce victim attrition, we have made great strides in tackling the intrusive
investigation process. This includes our commitment to no adult rape victim being
left without a phone for more than 24 hours, as well as legislating to ensure that
police requests for Third Party Materials are only made by the police when it is necessary
and proportionate to do so.</li></ul>
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