Fewer than 1 in 16 rapes result in a conviction

Another part of the Liberal Democrat policy paper ‘Real Women’ has been released to the media today, highlighting the shocking news that the already dreadfully low rate of conviction for rapes has fallen even further:

Fewer than one in 16 rapes reported to the police results in a conviction in court, research by the Liberal Democrats has revealed. Figures revealed in a Parliamentary answer show that the conviction rate has fallen from less than one in 13 in 1998.

The Liberal Democrats have today called for up to 15 more Rape Crisis Centres to be opened across the country, and for more money to be invested in centres that provide medical care and counselling to the victims of sexual assaults. This would double the Government’s pledge on Rape Crisis Centres.

The measures are part of a wider range of proposals designed to prevent violence against women, and to provide help to the victims of violence.

Other proposals include:

• Investing millions more in Rape Crisis Centres, opening up to 15 new centres
• Investing more in Sexual Assault Referral Centres to provide forensic medical examinations and counselling
• Rolling out classes about rights and fair treatment in relationships in schools with organisations like Relate
• Providing better systems in schools and social services for children and adults to report abuse
• Ensuring that women living in refuges can continue to work…

Liberal Democrat Women’s Spokesperson, Lynne Featherstone said:

“The low conviction rates across the country in rape cases are nothing short of a national disgrace. We the worst rape conviction record in Europe.”