A joint thematic inspection of the police and Crown Prosecution Service’s response to rape
Part of: Police engagement with women and girls Protecting people from violence and abuse Victims and resolutions
HMICFRS, together with HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate, inspected the investigation and prosecution of rape in England and Wales. This inspection was published in two parts.
The combined findings from parts one and two of this inspection provide a comprehensive assessment of the criminal justice system’s current approach to rape, and an account of victims’ experiences of the system.
In both our Phase 1 and Phase 2 reports, we made a series of practical recommendations to police and prosecutors that, if implemented, will help to immediately improve the service received by victims.
For both reports, we commissioned a research report, to hear about victims’ experiences directly. And we asked police and the CPS, Government departments and victim representative groups for their own qualitative and quantitative data on what it’s like to report a rape in England and Wales today.
A joint thematic inspection of the police and Crown Prosecution Service’s response to rape – Phase one: From report to police or CPS decision to take no further action
The first part (Phase 1) examined cases from the point when they were reported to the police through to the decision (either by the police or the CPS) to take no further action. This was published in July 2021.
Evaluation of rape survivors’ experience of the Police & other Criminal Justice Agencies: Phase one
Evaluation of rape survivors’ experience of the Police & other Criminal Justice Agencies
This section is a summary of the key findings from interviews with rape survivors.
A joint thematic inspection of the police and Crown Prosecution Service’s response to rape – Phase two: Post-charge
The second part (Phase 2) examined cases from the point of charge through to their conclusion, and includes those which were decided in court. This was published in February 2022.
Exploring rape survivors’ experiences of the police and other criminal justice agencies: Phase two
Exploring rape survivors’ experiences of the police and other criminal justice agencies: Phase two
This research report summarises the headline findings from interviews with rape survivors which relate to their experiences post-charge.
Related reports
Previous HMICFRS reports on this topic include:
- Forging the links: Rape investigation and prosecution – February 2012
- Rape offences – investigation and prosecution joint review: Without consent – December 2006
- Rape allegations – investigation and prosecution joint inspection – April 2002
Further information
The charities SafeLives, Refuge and Women’s Aid have more information available for people affected by rape.