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<p>I have regular discussions with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on a
wide range of criminal matters, including child sexual abuse (CSA) cases. The prosecution
of CSA cases were specifically discussed at a meeting in February this year and the
DPP outlined to me how the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is coordinating its response
with the police to the Home Office CSA Inquiry.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>In October
2013 the CPS issued guidelines setting out a new approach to CSA cases. Steps to be
taken include the use of specialist prosecutors, the provision of dedicated CPS units
to manage such cases, and the application of a new approach to considering evidence
in such cases. In 2014-15, the number of child abuse prosecutions rose by 2,047 to
10,045, the highest volume of cases ever. There were 74.4% convictions in 2014-15,
falling slightly from 76.2% in 2013-14, but overall there was a rise in the volume
of convictions in the child abuse cases to 7,469 in 2014-15 from 6,096 in 2013-14.</p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p>
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