Police chief promises full support for rape victims
THE county’s police and crime commissioner has spoken out following an inspection of the Police and the Crown Prosecution Service’s (CPS) response to rape.
John Dwyer, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire which covers Macclesfield, responded to the thematic inspection by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS).
Its report recommended an urgent and fundamental shift in how rape cases are investigated and prosecuted.
In the year to March 2020 more than 56,000 rapes were recorded, with 4,181 rape cases were referred to CPS for a prosecution decision.
Of those, 2,325 resulted in a charge and only 3 per cent, 1,439 cases, resulted in a successful prosecution.
John Dwyer, said: “The thematic recommended that the Police and CPS should work together to build a seamless approach.
“In the first instance the Police need to get their first response to the survivor right, to ensure the correct details are taken and importantly the correct support services can be identified.
“I will work with the Chief Constable of Cheshire Constabulary to ensure victims don’t feel let down with our response and get the wrap around support service that they want and need.”
The report also highlighted the importance of supporting victims, as if they aren’t supported, they may drop out of the process.
This feeling was echoed by the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) Cheshire and Merseyside, who provide support for adults, children and young people who have been subjected to rape and sexual abuse, who shared their views when Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner David McNeilage visited the service.
John Dwyer, added: “Providing a wrap around support network for survivors of this type of crime is vital in helping them heal, cope and return to a semblance of normality that enables them to continue with their lives.
“The fact that this report from HMICFRS identifies the weakness in the system that if the support isn’t there the survivor will withdraw from the process saddens me.
“I understand that a conviction may not be in the best interest of a survivor, some feel like that won’t bring them the closure they need.
“But regardless of this fact, there should be that consistency of service to help them is key.
“My office provides funding to RASASC and I want to continue to support survivors using their service any way I can.”
More information about RASASC is available here: www.rapecentre.org.uk/.