Decrease in convictions for sexoffencesinourcourtsa major worry: victims’ group

A VICTIMS’ group has raised concerns over a drop in conviction rates for sexual offences in Northern Ireland’s courts.

It comes as a new report shows that only a fraction of rape cases here result in someone being found guilty.

In the 12 months to March this year, the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) considered evidence against 567 rape suspects — but a decision was taken to prosecute in just over a quarter of cases (158, or 27%).

And just 15% of the 60 defendants dealt with by the Crown Court for rape in the same 12-month period were convicted.

The figures emerged in a report published by the PPS yesterday.

It shows that files received by it included a total of 1,700 suspects.

Of these, 567 were charged or reported for rape — an increase of 36% on 2016/17 — and 1,133 for other sexual offences, a rise of 15%.

Some 224 defendants in cases involving alleged sexual offences were dealt with in the Crown Court. The overall conviction rate was 63.8% compared with 73.8% in 2016/17.

Victim Support NI chief executive Geraldine Hanna said she was worried but not surprised by the figures.

“It is concerning to note that the figures do demonstrate a decrease in conviction rates for any sexual offence at Crown Court level,” she said.

“We believe these figures provide strong evidence that change is needed in the way the criminal justice system deals with how cases of sexual violence move through the criminal justice process.”

Cara Cash Marley from Nexus NI, which supports survivors of sexual abuse, said: “The decreased conviction rate may not be welcome news, but we are committed to work with PPS and others to ensure that the voice of victims and survivors, and the experiences they have had are heard.”

PPS assistant director Marianne O’Kane said there were significant challenges in prosecuting cases involving sexual offences.

“Over the last three years the PPS has established a dedicated team of senior public prosecutors who have worked closely with our partners to ensure consistency in best practice procedures to build cases, support victims and ensure that prosecutions are brought robustly, but fairly,” she said.

“Against this backdrop we are seeing a significant increase in both the complexity and the volume of cases. We consider that a broad criminal justice perspective, combined with inputs from wider society, will be key to achieving positive change.”

The PPS saw an increase in cases of alleged sexual offences and rapes over the past year compared with 2016/17. A total of 1,587 files involving an alleged sexual offence were received — an increase of 21% on the previous total of 1,312.

The number of files received involving an alleged rape offence was also up from 395 to 530, a rise of 34.2%.

Some 1,478 information requests were submitted to police during 2017/18 in relation to sexual offence cases, up 11% on the previous year.

The figures come amid an ongoing independent review of the arrangements to deliver justice in serious sexual offence cases in the wake of the high-profile rugby rape trial. Former judge Sir John Gillen is leading the Criminal Justice Board’s review.

Discussion: Marianne O’Kane