Commissioner comments on figures from Rape Monitoring Group
Commenting on today’s figures from the Rape Monitoring Group (RMG) which has published data from police forces across England and Wales, North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan said:
“These figures highlight a domino effect that topples through the criminal justice system beginning with the police and ending up with rapists getting away with their crimes.
“While North Yorkshire’s charge rate is well above the national average, it remains low and I have serious concerns about performance which I raised at our last Local Criminal Justice Partnership meeting, where I asked all partners to review their work.
“Across the board, here and across the country, we are not doing well enough and there is much more to be done to help give victims of rape the confidence they need to come forward and for perpetrators to be brought to justice.
“It is essential for victims to know they will be treated sensitively and taken seriously, and that by coming forward, there is a strong chance that justice will be done. This is clearly not the case at present.
“I urge all partners to work together to better address this serious issue and look forward to hearing their proposals at the next Local Criminal Justice Partnership Board.”
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APCC Victims Leads comment on rape charge statistics released by HMICFRS
Commenting on rape charge statistics released by HMICFRS today, APCC Victims Leads Sophie Linden, London’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime & Julia Mulligan, North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner said:
“The rape statistics released today raise significant questions and concerns. As Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) we are alarmed that that whilst reports of rape are rising, the number of rape charges are decreasing nationally. Victims of rape show immense courage in reporting this heinous crime, yet at present too often the criminal justice system is letting them down. It is critical that victims have confidence that when they report a crime, they will be supported by a robust response. Currently on too many occasions this is not happening and we cannot allow this to continue.
“PCCs champion the needs of victims in their local communities, commissioning services to help them to cope and recover after crime. We need all criminal justice agencies to come together to improve the criminal justice system for some of its most vulnerable users, encouraging more victims to come forward seeking justice and having their voices heard.
“We call on Government to reintroduce the Domestic Abuse Bill at the earliest opportunity in the next Parliament and on all criminal justice agencies to come together to commit to making the system more effective, ensuring that all victims of this devastating crime are protected and supported through every stage of the judicial process.”