A DAMNING report by women’s groups released today has identified “catastrophic systemic failures” from the police to the prosecution services in the handling of rape cases. 

Despite an increase in reporting, prosecutions have fallen to their lowest levels since records began, leading to charges that rape has effectively been decriminalised. 

The 80-page report, by the Centre for Women’s Justice, the End Violence Against Women Coalition, Imkaan and Rape Crisis England and Wales said that radical change is needed at almost every step of the judicial process.

Titled “The Decriminalisation of Rape: Why the justice system is failing rape survivors and what needs to change” the report details “overwhelming” evidence that rape cases are being dropped when they shouldn’t be. 

This included cases where weapons were involved and where a suspect was found to have lied. 

Harriet Wistrich, director of the Centre for Women’s Justice, said that the findings “reveal catastrophic systemic failures in the criminal justice system that embolden serial rapists and misogynists and abandon traumatised victims.”

According to figures from the Crown Prosecution Service, 55,259 rapes were reported last year; but only 2,102 resulted in prosecutions and 1,439 in convictions. Between 2017 and 2019, prosecutions fell by around 50 per cent. 

The groups said they had found rape myths throughout the police and court system including notions that victims were “asking for it” or had dressed provocatively.  

Imkaan policy director Sumanta Roy said that rape myths for many women are also linked to “prejudicial stereotypes about age, race, class and disability.” 

Their findings represent a “shadow report” to the government’s own “rape review,” which ministers launched 18 months ago in response to a sharp decline in prosecutions. 

Labour shadow solicitor general Ellie Reeves said: “This report makes for grim but important reading, setting out how poorly this Conservative government is letting down victims of rape and sexual violence on all fronts.”

The report lists a number of recommendations — including eradicating the examination of a victim’s sexual history in rape trials and the creation of a minister focusing on investigating and prosecuting serious sexual offending.

A government spokesperson said: “Victims of rape deserve to know that their cases will be taken seriously and everything will be done to bring offenders to justice.

“That is why we are reviewing the response to this horrific crime, in consultation with survivors’ groups and experts across the sector, and will carefully consider this report.”