Why do so few sexual assaults result in convictions?

It's a shocking statistic that rarely budges: only one in 10 reported cases of sexual assault results in a conviction. Meet the panel Amy Remeikis, sexual assault survivor and Guardian reporter sexual assault survivor and Guardian reporter Dr Hannah McGlade, sexual assault survivor, human rights lawyer and senior indigenous research fellow at Curtin University sexual assault survivor, human rights lawyer and senior indigenous research fellow at Curtin University Nicholas Cowdery, NSW Department of Public Prosecutions director, 1994-2011 NSW Department of Public Prosecutions director, 1994-2011 Kate Ravenscroft, sexual assault survivor and social worker sexual assault survivor and social worker John Desmond, defence barrister defence barrister Bri Lee, sexual assault survivor, author of Eggshell Skull and lawyer But former NSW DPP director Nicholas Cowdery says the initial statement is critical evidence. "If it's a jury trial, it can be influenced by some of the myths and stereotypes the jurors still have towards sexual assault victims." While Ms Remeikis thought she was the "perfect victim" to secure a sexual assault conviction, she weighed up the prosecution's offer. "Instead of facing two charges of sexual assault and going to trial he was charged on a single charge of indecent assault," she says.