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<p>The Office for National Statistics publishes statistics on prevalence of rape and
reporting in the Crime Survey of England and Wales, accessible here: <a href="https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/articles/natureofsexualassaultbyrapeorpenetrationenglandandwales/yearendingmarch2020"
target="_blank">https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/articles/natureofsexualassaultbyrapeorpenetrationenglandandwales/yearendingmarch2020</a>.</p><p>This
publication includes statistics on the prevalence of rape experienced by victims since
the age of 16, the proportion of these victims who reported to the police and the
proportion of victims who told someone else about the abuse, either someone they knew
personally, or someone from another professional, support or official organisation.
The publication also includes reasons why some victims did not tell anyone, or why
some victims did not tell the police. We do not collect data on non-reporting due
to breaches of anonymity in previous cases.</p><p> </p><p>As part of the cross-Government
Rape Review, a series of actions will be implemented that will improve the way the
system handles rape cases, conscious that the Government does not have control over
jury convictions. The joint national action plan (JNAP)will deliver actions designed
to improve the handling of cases and interactions with victims.</p><p>We are rolling
out Operation Soteria: a joint police and Crown Prosecution Service programme of work
to transform the way that they work individually and together to investigate and prosecute
rape. This will turn the focus onto the perpetrator rather than the victim’s behaviour.
We are additionally introducing a single source of 24/7 support for victims of rape
and sexual violence, and have increased funding this year to £150.5m for victim support
services. In July last year, the government launched our Violence against Women and
Girls Strategy , with a dedicated policing lead reporting directly to the Home Secretary,
and have recently consulted on a Victim’s Bill.</p>
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