Rape ‘decriminalised’ as only 1.4% of reported attacks prosecuted in England and Wales

Sign up for the Independent Women email for the latest news, opinion and features Get the Independent Women email for free Get the Independent Women email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Authorities have been accused of “decriminalising” sex attacks after official statistics showed that the proportion of reported rapes prosecuted in England and Wales has fallen to 1.4 per cent. Director Harriet Wistrich said: “If they were concerned by this virtual decriminalisation of rape they would be seeking to do everything possible to put measures in place to reverse this very disturbing trend, whether or not the cause of it lies mainly with their changed approach to decision making, instead of taking a confrontational approach to the litigation we are bringing.” The CPS has partly blamed the police for referring fewer cases for its consideration, and says it is bound by a code stating that it can only prosecute where there is a “realistic prospect of conviction”. But Dame Vera Baird, the victims’ commissioner for England and Wales, said only a decade ago the CPS was charging 40 per cent of rape cases and vowed to increase that figure. “There are many committed police officers and excellent lawyers involved in rape cases, but the harder it is to get a charge, the fewer police referrals there will be in a circle of discouragement which needs to be reversed urgently.” Teenager 'who raped British girl on cruise' walks free because alleged attack was in international waters Research released earlier this year suggested tens of thousands of rape cases were dropped by victims before the charging stage because police investigations were worsening their trauma.