Reformed rape investigations will focus on suspect's behaviour instead of victim accounts
A reformed model for how rape allegations are investigated is being rolled out as prosecutors look to increase the number of court cases and convictions.
Police forces and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) will focus on 'improved communication with victims and an offender-centric investigative approach', with prosecutors "determined to drive up the number of cases taken to court and improve victim experiences" through a "transformation" of how the criminal justice system responds to rape.
It comes as new data shows that almost 250 rape investigations were carried out in the West Midlands last year, rising from 192 investigations in 2021 to 247 in 2022.
While the rape reform programme Operation Soteria was implemented in all 43 police areas in England and Wales on Monday, a pilot programme has been running in the West Midlands for the past year.
As part of the programme, CPS lawyers will be increasing the number of rape cases that lead to court appearances as a result of closely working with the area's police forces.
The new approach will see specialist lawyers give early investigative advice to police forces to agree prosecution strategies in the aftermath of a crime being reported, tackle any myths or stereotypes about rape and how victims may behave and fully investigate suspect behaviour, instead of "over-focusing on perceived weaknesses in victim accounts".
It also includes better communication with victims and liaising with independent sexual violence advisors who will increase the support available to victims as they go through the criminal justice process.
Emma Tait, head of the CPS West Midlands Rape and Serious Sexual Offences unit, explained why the new model for rape charging is so vital, and what the approach entails.
She told the Express & Star: "The launch marks a really important milestone in our approach to adult rape prosecutions.
"At CPS West Midlands we have been piloting a number of the workstreams from the national model already, which is designed to provide greater consistency across the CPS areas and set a new standard for us handling adult rape prosecutions.
"So the overall arching aim of the new model is to ensure that we take an offender-centric approach to adult rape prosecutions.
"Previously it was recognised that there was much focus on the victims' behaviour and actions. What this means is we now look at aspects of the suspect's behaviour, which at the forefront of our investigation and prosecution."
Another element of the new model is working with the police on early investigative advice, to help build effective and evidentially strong cases.
