Community Justice Files 22

AuthorJane Dominey
Pages58-63
COMMUNITY JUSTICE FILES 22
Edit ed by Jane Dominey, De Montfort Universi ty
The Stern Review
Baroness Vivien Stern has now published her independent review into the treatment of rape
complaints by public agencies.
The report comes to the following main conclusions:
The policies are right. The report describes the way that policy governing the handling
of rape allegations has improved and developed in policing, prosecution and at court.
Implementation is patchy and must be improved. Whilst the report is generally positive
about the policy framework it makes significant criticisms about the implementation of
policy and provides examples of very bad practice. Too often, the concerns of victims
are not properly heard and addressed. The report does not expect a uniform provision
of service but does argue for a consistent approach.
Positive obligations to victims must be recognised. The report argues that, regardless of
outcomes in the criminal justice system, society has an obligation to provide services to
victims of rape. The report recommends that access to a Sexual Assault Referral Centre
and an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor be an option for every victim who wishes
this.
The conviction rate has taken over the debate. Only a small proportion of cases of rape
reported to the police result in a conviction for rape. The report argues that the
considerable media and political focus on a low ‘conviction rate’ leads to an unhelpful
lack of confidence in the system and poor public understanding.
The report makes a number of recommendations. These include:
Improvement in the presentation and explanation of relevant statistics about rape.
The provision of better information, particularly to young people, of the provisions of
the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
The funding and commissioning of forensic medical services should be transferred from
the police to the National Health Service. Every rape victim should have the choice of a
male or female forensic physician.
The policy outlined in the document ‘Guidance on Investigating and Prosecuting Rape’
should be implemented in every police area.
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