Update on Serious Sexual Crime - Essex Police

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A SSC Delivery Plan has been created. The objective of the plan is to increase the number of detections for serious sexual crimes by 21%. The Essex Police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Rape Steering Group consists of Essex Police, the CPS, Third Sector, including Victim Support, Rape Crisis and Witness Care. Background to the Essex Police and CPS Rape Steering Group The group arises out of the ACPO/CPS visit in 2009 where it was recommended that multi-agency links are improved. The intention is to meet twice a year, or as necessary. Aims: 1. To develop a joined up approach for dealing with rape complainants/victims/clients. 2. To improve contact between agencies. 3. To identify a Specific Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for each organisation. 4. To make the victim experience as ‘positive’ and palliative as possible. 5. Provide feedback to the police and the CPS. 6. Address any other issues. 7. Provide an update on performance. 8. To discuss general issues rather than specific cases. Continuous Professional Development Days for Sexual Offence Trained Officers (SOTO) are scheduled twice yearly. The next is due to take place on 22 nd June. The business case for establishing a designated Serious Sexual Crime Investigation Team has been submitted to the Reform Programme Board. 6.0 Divisional Volume Crime Review The Head of Volume Crime was keen to support Divisional Commanders by providing a review capacity able to target areas of concern. Understanding the reasons for recent increases in SSC has been a focus of effort. It was decided to conduct an independent and detailed review of all SSC across a division to build upon the previous research which had focussed upon force wide data. South Eastern Division has the highest sanction detection rate in the force for SSC. However, similarly to other divisions, South Eastern has seen a significant increase in reported SSC over the past year. To gain a detailed understanding of the reasons for this increase, the Divisional Commander invited the Volume Crime Review Team to conduct a detailed look at SSC reported during the period 1 st April 2010 – 30 th November 2010. All other divisions will also be reviewed and this is included on the SSC Delivery Plan. Page 4 of 6
6.1 Southend Pilot In Southend a new partnership, the Sexual Safety Awareness Group, has been set up to deliver a consistent message to young people regarding sexual safety. The agreed aims of the group include promoting sensible choices, delivering supportive services and responsible reporting. Supportive services include a referral into teenage pregnancy counsellors for teenagers who are engaging in, or considering engaging in, sexual activity, and other youth counselling services depending on the issues involved. Responsible reporting is about encouraging young people to report acts of sexual violence against them whilst at the same time explaining the consequences of making false reports to police and other services. A programme of six lessons to be delivered over consecutive weeks is being developed along with a structured process of referral. It will be delivered to 13 and 14 years olds (Year 9) by teachers, local schools officers and other skilled professionals and is initially intended for a pilot in four schools. A joint media promotion of the service is being planned. Delivery will commence in the coming months. Aim: To protect young people in Southend from sexual harm through education, victim care and support services. Objectives: 1. To support young people in making safe and informed choices around sexual behaviour and social activity. 2. To provide a supportive framework, including referral, for young people who are at risk of harm through sexual activity. 3. To encourage responsible reporting of sexual crime. 4. To develop the local children’s workforces understanding of the investigation of sexual crime. 5. To provide information to parents on sexual behaviour in young people - what to look out for and how to support. 5.0 Conclusion In conclusion, the force’s performance in detecting SSC and rape has been identified as requiring improvement. The Force Delivery Plan and the Rape and SSC Action Plan will be driving this forward over the next year. This will include district level targets. However, it is important to note that we have seen an improvement in our performance at Crown Court during the last quarter, January – March 2011. Essex is the sixth best performing area (out of 41 areas) and the Eastern region is the best performing region when it comes to convictions for rape investigation. Convictions after contest were 52.5% for Essex and the national average was 50.4%. Page 5 of 6
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Update on Serious Sexual Crime - Essex Police

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