Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member constituency
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

1437520

	registered interest
	date	02/03/2022
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Rape: Prosecutions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Attorney General, whether she plans to implement the recommendations from the Criminal Justice Joint Inspection into the police and CPS's response to rape post-charge in full; what her timetable is for implementing those recommendations; and if she will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Hammersmith
	tabling member printed	Andy Slaughter
	uin	133142
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/03/2022 answer text The CPS has welcomed the recent Criminal Justice Joint Inspection (CJJI) report on how well the criminal justice system serves survivors of rape and has largely accepted all the recommendations within it that relate directly to their work. They will use the report’s findings and recommendations to further inform their response to rape prosecutions and to build on the significant work undertaken so far, which has focussed on the following three main areas of work:<ul><li>better collaboration with the police from the very start of an investigation, taking an offender-centric approach to case-building;</li><li>supporting prosecutors and expanding the size of specialist units so that they are properly resourced to respond to these challenging and complex cases; and</li><li>improving the support given to victims, and recognising the trauma they experience.</li></ul>On the timeframes for implementing the two recommendations relating to communicating with victims, the CPS has already commenced a vital programme of work to improve how they communicate with victims. As part of this, the CPS has commissioned crucial research into victims’ needs to understand what victims need and want, so the CPS can serve them better. This research is part of a fundamental review into how the CPS can improve communication with victims. Although this three-phased programme is underway, the CPS will require time to complete it, to ensure that it fundamentally improves the quality of communication with victims. The CPS’s full response to the report and its recommendations can be found <a href="https://www.cps.gov.uk/publication/cps-response-criminal-justice-joint-inspection-cjji-how-well-criminal-justice-system" target="_blank">here</a>. answering member constituency Cheltenham answering member printed Alex Chalk question first answered 07/03/2022 09:36:16 answering member 4481 label Biography information for Alex Chalk
	tabling member	1516 label Biography information for Andy Slaughter

1130704

	registered interest
	date	07/06/2019
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Rape: Prosecutions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Attorney General, what the average number of days taken from a report of rape to a decision to charge was in each year since 2010.
	tabling member constituency	Ashfield
	tabling member printed	Gloria De Piero
	uin	261501
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/06/2019 answer text <table><tbody><tr><td><p>The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not maintain a record of the average number of days taken from a report of rape to the police through to a decision to charge. Data is, however, held on the average number of days from submission of a rape case by the police to the CPS through to the date of the decision to charge. The CPS works closely with police colleagues to ensure that where individuals are charged, cases have been thoroughly investigated and individuals are properly charged and prosecuted so that the interests of both victims and perpetrators are protected and cases do not collapse mid-trial. The figures provided in the table below include the end to end timeliness from submission to the date of the decision to charge. This comprises of the time when the case was with both police and the CPS. <table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Financial Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong> </strong> <strong>Average Number of Calendar Days </strong> <strong>Receipt to Decision to Charge</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Average Consultations per Suspect</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2010-2011</strong></p></td><td><p>32</p></td><td><p>1.71</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2011-2012</strong></p></td><td><p>33</p></td><td><p>1.74</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2012-2013</strong></p></td><td><p>34</p></td><td><p>1.69</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2013-2014</strong></p></td><td><p>40</p></td><td><p>1.66</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2014-2015</strong></p></td><td><p>55</p></td><td><p>1.65</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2015-2016</strong></p></td><td><p>53</p></td><td><p>1.66</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2016-2017</strong></p></td><td><p>67</p></td><td><p>1.80</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2017-2018</strong></p></td><td><p>78</p></td><td><p>1.97</p></td></tr></tbody></table></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>There are a number of reasons for the steady increase in the average number of days and average number of consultations per case since 2010/11. The number of consultations between CPS prosecutors and police investigators is important. Consultations allow for a close examination of the evidence thus ensuring the case is strong. Clearly, the more consultations that take place, the longer the time between receipt of the case and the decision to charge.</p><p> </p><p>Police are now encouraged to seek early investigative advice more often and in particular in rape and serious sexual offences cases. Early investigative advice helps to ensure that cases are thoroughly investigated and the evidence to be brought before the court is strong. As a result, fewer cases are dropped after the defendant has been charged. With the increase in early investigative advice, CPS is more often involved at an earlier stage in proceedings and this will invariably impact on the average number of consultations and overall timeliness.</p><p> </p><p>There has also been an increase in the complexity of rape cases investigated by the police. Investigations often involve large amounts of electronic material (social media, emails, text messages, video and photographs) which needs to be reviewed by prosecutors before a charging decision can be made. This also impacts on the average number of consultations and timeliness of the pre-charge stage of the case.</p><p> </p><p>CPS prosecutors work closely with police colleagues to build strong cases which can be brought before the courts. Increased complexity has been evidenced over time by the rise in the average number of consultations with the police. Since 2010/11, the number has increased from 1.71 to 1.98 consultations per case, a rise of 16%.</p><p> </p><p>Changes have now been made to the Casework Management System to provide for a more sophisticated level of reporting. In future, CPS will be able to report the timeliness for each individual consultation.</p> answering member constituency South East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Lucy Frazer question first answered 13/06/2019 08:28:06 answering member 4517 label Biography information for Lucy Frazer
	tabling member	3915 label Biography information for Gloria De Piero

1503484

	registered interest
	date	02/09/2022
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Rape: Prosecutions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Attorney General, how many (a) males and (b) females have been charged with the offence of rape in England in each of the last three years.
	tabling member constituency	Hendon
	tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
	uin	45119
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/09/2022 answer text <table><tbody><tr><td><p>The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not hold any data which shows the number of suspects charged with the offence of rape. However, management information is held showing the number of suspects charged, by sex, flagged as involving allegations of rape where the CPS authorised a charge and a prosecution has commenced in each of the last three years ending March 2022. The table below shows the number of decisions to charge, in rape flagged cases by the sex of suspects, where this has been identified. <table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>2019-2020</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2020-2021</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2021-2022</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Female</p></td><td><p>22</p></td><td><p>41</p></td><td><p>24</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Male</p></td><td><p>1,831</p></td><td><p>1,905</p></td><td><p>2,179</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3"><p>Data Source: CPS Case Management Information System</p></td></tr></tbody></table>Decisions to charge are where CPS is satisfied that the legal test for prosecution, set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors is met: there is enough evidence to provide a ‘realistic prospect of conviction’ against each defendant and the prosecution is in the public interest.</p></td></tr></tbody></table> answering member constituency Northampton North answering member printed Michael Ellis question first answered 08/09/2022 12:03:57 answering member 4116 label Biography information for Sir Michael Ellis
	tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

1567607

	registered interest
	date	17/01/2023
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Rape: Prosecutions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Attorney General, how many (a) completed prosecutions and (b) convictions there have been for rape in England and Wales in each quarter from the start of January 2010 to the end of September 2022.
	tabling member constituency	Islington South and Finsbury
	tabling member printed	Emily Thornberry
	uin	125287
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/01/2023 answer text <table><tbody><tr><td><p>The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not hold any data which shows the number of defendants prosecuted for, or convicted of, the offence of rape. However, management information is held showing the number of defendants by prosecution outcome, flagged as involving offences of rape since 1<sup>st</sup> January 2010 to the end of September 2022 by quarter. The tables below show the number of completed prosecutions and convictions in rape flagged cases. <table><tbody><tr><td colspan="9"><p><strong> </strong> <strong>CPS RAPE FLAGGED PROSECUTION OUTCOMES</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>09/10-Q4</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>10/11-Q1</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>10/11-Q2</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>10/11-Q3</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>10/11-Q4</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>11/12-Q1</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>11/12-Q2</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>11/12-Q3</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Prosecutions</p></td><td><p>1,014</p></td><td><p>956</p></td><td><p>1,096</p></td><td><p>1,052</p></td><td><p>1,107</p></td><td><p>955</p></td><td><p>959</p></td><td><p>965</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Convictions</p></td><td><p>622</p></td><td><p>552</p></td><td><p>637</p></td><td><p>623</p></td><td><p>655</p></td><td><p>610</p></td><td><p>577</p></td><td><p>590</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>11/12-Q4</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>12/13-Q1</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>12/13-Q2</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>12/13-Q3</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>12/13-Q4</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>13/14-Q1</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>13/14-Q2</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>13/14-Q3</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Prosecutions</p></td><td><p>985</p></td><td><p>939</p></td><td><p>917</p></td><td><p>938</p></td><td><p>898</p></td><td><p>991</p></td><td><p>957</p></td><td><p>938</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Convictions</p></td><td><p>637</p></td><td><p>625</p></td><td><p>574</p></td><td><p>593</p></td><td><p>541</p></td><td><p>604</p></td><td><p>599</p></td><td><p>556</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>13/14-Q4</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>14/15-Q1</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>14/15-Q2</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>14/15-Q3</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>14/15-Q4</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>15/16-Q1</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>15/16-Q2</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>15/16-Q3</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Prosecutions</p></td><td><p>1,005</p></td><td><p>1,050</p></td><td><p>1,120</p></td><td><p>1,202</p></td><td><p>1,165</p></td><td><p>1,167</p></td><td><p>1,219</p></td><td><p>1,150</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Convictions</p></td><td><p>589</p></td><td><p>606</p></td><td><p>644</p></td><td><p>666</p></td><td><p>666</p></td><td><p>688</p></td><td><p>691</p></td><td><p>666</p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>15/16-Q4</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>16/17-Q1</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>16/17-Q2</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>16/17-Q3</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>16/17-Q4</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>17/18-Q1</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>17/18-Q2</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>17/18-Q3</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Prosecutions</p></td><td><p>1,108</p></td><td><p>1,390</p></td><td><p>1,283</p></td><td><p>1,256</p></td><td><p>1,265</p></td><td><p>1,120</p></td><td><p>1,151</p></td><td><p>1,159</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Convictions</p></td><td><p>645</p></td><td><p>782</p></td><td><p>747</p></td><td><p>747</p></td><td><p>719</p></td><td><p>668</p></td><td><p>672</p></td><td><p>678</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>17/18-Q4</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>18/19-Q1</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>18/19-Q2</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>18/19-Q3</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>18/19-Q4</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>19/20-Q1</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>19/20-Q2</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>19/20-Q3</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Prosecutions</p></td><td><p>1,098</p></td><td><p>985</p></td><td><p>814</p></td><td><p>684</p></td><td><p>561</p></td><td><p>593</p></td><td><p>505</p></td><td><p>524</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Convictions</p></td><td><p>628</p></td><td><p>625</p></td><td><p>504</p></td><td><p>445</p></td><td><p>359</p></td><td><p>386</p></td><td><p>350</p></td><td><p>362</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>19/20-Q4</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>20/21-Q1</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>20/21-Q2</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>20/21-Q3</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>20/21-Q4</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>21/22-Q1</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>21/22-Q2</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>21/22-Q3</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Prosecutions</p></td><td><p>480</p></td><td><p>218</p></td><td><p>306</p></td><td><p>486</p></td><td><p>547</p></td><td><p>601</p></td><td><p>600</p></td><td><p>661</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Convictions</p></td><td><p>341</p></td><td><p>174</p></td><td><p>223</p></td><td><p>336</p></td><td><p>376</p></td><td><p>398</p></td><td><p>407</p></td><td><p>467</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>21/22-Q4</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>22/23-Q1</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>22/23-Q2</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Prosecutions</p></td><td><p>675</p></td><td><p>622</p></td><td><p>517</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Convictions</p></td><td><p>461</p></td><td><p>430</p></td><td><p>320</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="9"><p>Data Source: CPS Case Management Information System</p></td></tr></tbody></table></p></td></tr></tbody></table> answering member constituency Mid Dorset and North Poole answering member printed Michael Tomlinson question first answered 20/01/2023 11:17:38 answering member 4497 label Biography information for Michael Tomlinson
	tabling member	1536 label Biography information for Emily Thornberry

1226466

	registered interest
	date	20/07/2020
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Rape: Prosecutions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Attorney General, with reference to the 2019-20 annual report of the Victims Commissioner, what progress has been made on the joint review by HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate and HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services into the drop in rape prosecutions.
	tabling member constituency	Lewisham West and Penge
	tabling member printed	Ellie Reeves
	uin	76852
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/07/2020 answer text <p>Work on the joint inspection by HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate and HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire &amp; Rescue Services (led by the latter) has been delayed by COVID-19. However, a draft framework and methodology have been shared with stakeholders, including the Victims Commissioner, for consultation and an external reference group has been formed with the first virtual meeting to take place on 10<sup>th</sup> August 2020.</p><p> </p><p>Thereafter, it is envisaged that interviews with national leads can commence in August 2020 and fieldwork across six police forces will start in September and continue until the mid-November.</p> answering member constituency Northampton North answering member printed Michael Ellis question first answered 29/07/2020 11:14:36 answering member 4116 label Biography information for Sir Michael Ellis
	tabling member	4620 label Biography information for Ellie Reeves

1484828

	registered interest
	date	29/06/2022
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Rape: Prosecutions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Attorney General, what steps she is taking to increase prosecution rates for rape.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton South
	tabling member printed	Matt Vickers
	uin	27758
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/07/2022 answer text <p>We are united in our combined efforts across government to improve performance for victims and increase the number of successful rape cases that go through our courts.</p><p> </p><p>Since we published our Rape Review action plan there has been a steady increase in the number of rape charges, prosecutions and convictions, quarter on quarter.</p><p> </p><p>Prosecutions for rape offences were 29% higher in 2021 than 2019.</p><p>In 2021, 900 offenders were convicted for rape offences, 67% higher than 2020 and 27% higher than 2019.</p> answering member constituency Eddisbury answering member printed Edward Timpson question first answered 12/07/2022 12:29:43 answering member 1605 label Biography information for Edward Timpson
	tabling member	4844 label Biography information for Matt Vickers

1484662

	registered interest
	date	29/06/2022
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Rape: Prosecutions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Attorney General, what steps he plans to take to increase the (a) prosecution and (b) conviction rates from reported cases of rape.
	tabling member constituency	York Central
	tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
	uin	27649
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/07/2022 answer text <p>This Government is determined to increase the number of rape prosecutions and convictions.</p><p> </p><p>The CPS is undertaking extensive work to drive up and improve prosecutions through their Joint National RASSO Action Plan with the police, the Rape Strategy, and the Operation Soteria Pathfinders, which are testing methods for best practice in six CPS Areas.</p><p> </p><p>Since this work commenced there has been a steady increase in the number of rape charges, prosecutions and convictions, quarter on quarter.</p> answering member constituency Cheltenham answering member printed Alex Chalk question first answered 05/07/2022 15:14:58 answering member 4481 label Biography information for Alex Chalk
	tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1484403

	registered interest
	date	28/06/2022
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Rape: Prosecutions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Attorney General, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister of State in response to the Urgent Question of 28 June 2022 on prosecution of incidences of rape, what steps he plans to take to enable more survivors of rape to bring forward a prosecution in the event that the CPS determines the case to be one of the survivors word against the perpetrators.
	tabling member constituency	York Central
	tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
	uin	26796
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/07/2022 answer text <p>This Government is determined to improve support for victims and increase the number of rape cases going to court.</p><p> </p><p>Earlier this year the CPS published their Rape Strategy update confirming their aim to significantly increase year on year the number of rape cases going to court. In each of their RASSO Units their specially trained prosecutors will always look to charge when the Code for Crown Prosecutors is met.</p><p> </p><p>The CPS are also undertaking extensive work to enhance support for rape victims including a ‘digital walk through’ outlining for victims the process of a criminal trial.</p> answering member constituency Cheltenham answering member printed Alex Chalk question first answered 05/07/2022 07:59:39 answering member 4481 label Biography information for Alex Chalk
	tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

984793

	registered interest
	date	10/10/2018
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Rape: Prosecutions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Attorney General, what changes have been made to CPS charging thresholds in cases of rape; and for what reasons such thresholds have been changed.
	tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Hall Green
	tabling member printed	Mr Roger Godsiff
	uin	177584
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/10/2018 answer text <p>There has been no change of approach or policy in how prosecutors should make charging decisions in rape cases. It has always been the case that decisions are made in accordance with the Full Code Test.</p><p>The growth in the volume of digital evidence is complicating the gathering and analysis of evidence. To address the increasing complexity of cases we have introduced new guidance to help police and prosecutors with reasonable lines of enquiry and communications evidence. The National Disclosure Improvement Plan sets out further measures to ensure the proper processes are followed.</p> answering member constituency South Swindon answering member printed Robert Buckland question first answered 18/10/2018 09:32:25 answering member 4106 label Biography information for Sir Robert Buckland
	tabling member	304 label Biography information for Mr Roger Godsiff

756377

	registered interest
	date	04/09/2017
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Rape: Prosecutions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Attorney General, how many cases of alleged rape under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 were referred to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) by police in each year since 2009-10; on how many occasions the CPS pressed charges for those cases in each of those years; and what the (a) average, (b) shortest and (c) longest period of time between referral and charging was for cases which (i) did and (ii) did not lead to CPS charges in each of those years.
	tabling member constituency	Kingston upon Hull North
	tabling member printed	Diana Johnson
	uin	8464
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/09/2017 answer text <p>The table below shows the volume and proportion of charged suspects in cases flagged as rape during each of the last seven available years.</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>Volume</p></td><td><p>%</p></td><td><p><strong> Total no of cases referred </strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2009 - 10</strong></p></td><td><p>3,232</p></td><td><p>42.1%</p></td><td><p><strong>7,683</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2010 - 11</strong></p></td><td><p>3,387</p></td><td><p>41.7%</p></td><td><p><strong>8,130</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2011 - 12</strong></p></td><td><p>3,213</p></td><td><p>47.1%</p></td><td><p><strong>6,822</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2012 - 13</strong></p></td><td><p>2,889</p></td><td><p>53.5%</p></td><td><p><strong>5,404</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2013 - 14</strong></p></td><td><p>3,621</p></td><td><p>61.9%</p></td><td><p><strong>5,850</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2014 - 15</strong></p></td><td><p>3,648</p></td><td><p>59.2%</p></td><td><p><strong>6,159</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2015 - 16</strong></p></td><td><p>3,910</p></td><td><p>57.0%</p></td><td><p><strong>6,855</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3"><p>(Data Source: CPS Case Management Information System)</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The CPS monitoring of cases involving offences of rape involves the application of a rape ‘flag’ to applicable cases that are recorded on the CPS’ electronic Case Management System (CMS). The CPS definition of rape covers any case where the following offences were considered pre-charge or were subsequently charged:</p><ul><li>Rape: Section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956</li><li>Sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 13: Section 5 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956</li><li>Rape: Section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003</li><li>Rape of a child under 13: Section 5 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003</li><li>Sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder impeding choice: Section 30(3) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003</li><li>An attempt to commit any of the above offences under the Criminal Attempts Act 1981</li><li>Incitement or conspiracy to commit any of the above offences.</li></ul><p>No separate record of the shortest or longest time from the initial request from the police to the decision to charge is maintained on the CMS, nor is any record collated showing the average number of days taken when the outcome of the charging decision is not to prosecute or any other outcome.</p><p>Rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO) investigations can be highly complex in nature and typically involve the review of a large quantity of evidence. In the vast majority of cases suspects are on police bail prior to a charging decision being made by the CPS and where the police seek a charging decision in such circumstances the CPS cannot authorise charges until the Full Code Test set out in the Code is met. The timeliness of a charging decision is determined by two key factors: how quickly the police can complete the necessary enquiries; and how quickly the CPS can then review the evidence provided by the police and finalise the charging decision.</p><p>The CPS recognises the distress caused to both complainants and defendants by delays in the charging process and we are committed to improving the timeliness of charging decisions. One of the most significant steps that the CPS has taken in this regard has been to substantially increase the resourcing allocated to the specialist RASSO units around the country which prosecute these cases. Between July 2015 and May 2017 the number of RASSO prosecutors available to make charging decisions rose from 138 to 197. This increased resourcing has contributed to an improvement in the timeliness of charging decisions. The number of RASSO cases awaiting CPS charging advice for between 28 days and 3 months fell by over 46% between March 2016 and March 2017 from 489 to 263 cases. Latest provisional data for July indicates the numbers have fallen still further to less than 130.</p><p>The CPS is committed to achieving further improvements in timeliness and in May 2017 the RASSO Service Standards were launched. These Standards set out best practice for the management of pre-charge RASSO bail cases between CPS areas and their local police partners. The Standards provide a commitment on the part of the CPS to provide a review of a case within 28 days of submission from the police and sets out an escalation procedure for police colleagues to follow when this target is not met. The Standards also require CPS staff to be actively involved in securing updates from investigating officers where there are significant delays in the police investigation of RASSO cases.</p> answering member constituency Kenilworth and Southam answering member printed Jeremy Wright question first answered 19/09/2017 14:33:50 answering member 1560 label Biography information for Sir Jeremy Wright
	tabling member	1533 label Biography information for Dame Diana Johnson