Violence against Women and Girls Crime report contents

The volume of convictions reached 2,689 – a rise of 108 defendants (4.2%) since 2014-15, the
highest volume ever recorded.
The CPS conviction rate in 2015-16 rose to 57.9% from 56.9% in 2014-15.
Of all unsuccessful outcomes 11 , the proportion due to jury acquittals has fallen slightly to
61.4% in 2015-16 from 62.7% in 2014-15.
National statistics from the MoJ, as the official statistics on defendants prosecuted for rape
are included in Annex 2 of the VAWG data report annex to contextualise the CPS data and
explain the differences in MoJ/CPS conviction ratios and rates.
A joint Police/CPS National Rape Steering Group was set up in 2015 to implement the tools
and actions from the 2014-15 National Rape Action Plan and recommendations from the
independent reviews 12 in 2014 and 2015.
A high profile national social media campaign on consent (#ConsentIs) was launched in 2015,
winning the UK Public Sector Communications Award in 2016.
A new national resource model for Rape and Serious Sexual Offence (RASSO) Units within the
CPS was implemented with doubled resources. Refreshed national file quality standards were
developed.
A bi-monthly national forum for CPS RASSO managers was set up in 2015 to share good
practice and lessons learned, to deliver local improvements.
Three joint Police/CPS pilots were set up on developing enhanced arrangements for early
investigative advice on rape cases.
A comprehensive rape training programme was undertaken in 2015-16.
Bespoke welfare arrangements for specialists handling rape and serious sexual assault cases,
were introduced in 2015.
Local Area good practice is included in VAWG data annex of this report and a number of case
studies illustrating disclosure issues, unduly lenient sentencing action and support for
vulnerable victims.
10 Recording of victim gender in rape cases is not robust enough to report proportions, but volumes are
provided in the VAWG data annex of the report.
11 Definitions for unsuccessful outcomes are in the glossary – a range of reasons include victim issues, conflict of
evidence and acquittals, divided into judge-directed and jury acquittals.
12 Reviews included Dame Elish Angiolini Report on the review of handling the investigation and prosecution of
rape in London and the HMCPSI review of Achieving Best Evidence in Child Sexual Abuse.
7