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<p>There are a number of factors that have contributed to the recent falls in the
volume of suspects charged, prosecuted and convicted of rape. The 2017-18 Violence
Against Women and Girls report highlighted a 9.1% fall in referrals of rape flagged
cases from the police to the CPS and work is being undertaken to understand the reasons
behind this trend. Prosecutors are increasingly using the process of Early Investigative
Advice to work with the police early to see what can be done to strengthen the prosecution
when it is needed.</p><p>Rape investigations are becoming increasingly complex due
to a number of factors, including the growth in relevant digital communications evidence.
To address the increasing complexity of cases the CPS have introduced new guidance
to help police and prosecutors with reasonable lines of inquiry and communications
evidence. There has also been a significant recruitment exercise, which was completed
to ensure that RASSO units were equipped to meet the substantial increase in the volume
of case referrals from the police. Between July 2015 and October 2018, the number
of specialist prosecutors in RASSO units rose by 52% from 138 to 210, with overall
staffing in these units increasing by more than a third.</p><p>There has been no change
of approach or guidance to CPS prosecutors in their commitment towards the prosecution
of rape offences. The CPS has undertaken extensive work over the last decade to ensure
that specialist prosecutors are fully equipped to deal with the particular complexities
of rape and serious sexual offences and that the Code for Crown Prosecutors is properly
applied. This includes understanding victim vulnerabilities and the impact of rape,
as well as consent, myths and stereotypes, and the particular difficulties of cases
involving vulnerable witnesses and young people. In 2018-19 the CPS plans to embark
upon a project to better understand the evolving nature of sexual behaviours and encounters
amongst young people as there are particular challenges in cases involving young adults.</p>
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