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<p>Rape is a serious sexual offence which has a profound impact on victims. The CPS
works closely with the Police to ensure that cases are thoroughly investigated before
charges are brought because it is in the interests of both victims and perpetrators
that cases do not collapse mid-trial.</p><p> </p><p>Cases involving rape and serious
sexual offences are some of the most challenging, complex cases that the CPS deals
with. They involve very little corroborative evidence in comparison with other cases,
and this can result them taking longer to progress through the system. However, the
CPS recognises that these offences are devastating crimes that have a significant
impact on victims.</p><p> </p><p>The CPS maintains a record of the average number
of days taken from referral through to a decision to charge. This data can be seen
at annex A. However data is not held on the shortest or longest number of days from
submission of a rape case by the police to the CPS through to the date of the decision
to charge.</p><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 2015/16.
Police are now more regularly encouraged to seek ‘early investigative advice’ to help
determine what evidence is required for charge more often. 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, the CPS is more often involved at an earlier
stage in proceedings which impacts 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>
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