Just one rape conviction for every 14 allegations
ONE REPORTED rape in 14 in Wales results in a conviction, according to figures from the police and CPS.
Exclusive analysis of police-recorded data and figures from the Crown Prosecution Service has revealed that there were 2,012 rapes reported in Wales in 2016-17.
Out of the 2,012 reported rapes, 251 went to court, and 139 people were convicted. Of the rapes that were reported in Wales last year, 1,227 victims were adults and 785 were children under 16.
Of those, 95% of recorded rape offences against adults were against women and 77% of recorded rape offences against children under 16 were against girls.
Across the four Welsh police forces, Dyfed-Powys Police had 256 cases of reported rapes, 34 ended up in prosecutions and 12 people were convicted. Gwent Police had 268 reported rape cases, with 34 ending up in prosecutions and 18 being convicted.
North Wales Police had 701 reported rape cases, with 70 prosecutions and 43 convictions; and South Wales Police had 787 reported rape cases, with 114 prosecutions and 66 convictions.
There are a number of reasons why a reported rape does not continue to conviction. As well as the defendant being acquitted by a jury, the victim might not wish for the case to be taken to court.
The Rape Monitoring Group stresses that, while conviction figures are extremely important, they may provide an incomplete picture of how effectively rape is being tackled locally.
For example, the group points to the large increase in the number of rapes recorded in England and Wales over the past few years. Rather than an increase in the actual prevalence of rapes, this may be the result of improvements in how the police record crimes, or may mean that victims have an increased understanding that a crime has been committed, or feel more confident in being believed when reporting.
If so, the rise of reported rapes in Wales, from 1,665 in 2015-16 to 2,012 in 2016-17 can be interpreted as encouraging, despite conviction rates remaining low.
Detective Chief Superintendent Rhiannon Kirk from Gwent Police said: “The force has, and continues to organise, joint awareness campaigns encouraging people to report these offences. These efforts have resulted in more people coming forward to report rape.
“We also work with partners such as [Welsh charity] New Pathways to provide counselling and advocacy for women, men, children and young people affected by rape or sexual abuse. The conviction rate for rape offences in the Gwent Police area in the year to date is well above 50%.”
A spokeswoman for South Wales Police said: “South Wales Police . . . urges victims to report the crime, safe in the knowledge that they will be treated with respect and dignity and their allegation will be fully investigated.”
Detective Superintendent Gary Phillips from Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Anyone who comes forward with information about a serious crime will be supported by experienced staff.”
Detective Chief Inspector Andrew Williams, for North Wales Police, said: “There is need for context to ensure figures are clearly understood. Not every case can be taken to court. In common with other forces, we have seen a significant rise in non-recent reports of rape; something that is a really encouraging development.”