Most rapes unpunished (1)
01 January 1991
Most rapes unpunished
artdoc July=1993
A Home Office study has revealed that only one in four reported
rape cases result in a conviction, while as many as 90% of rapes
go unreported. The research, carried out in 1985, showed that
almost half of complainants dropped out before court proceedings
began, and a quarter of cases did not go to trial because of lack
of supporting evidence or inability to find the perpetrator. Of
those reaching court, about a quarter resulted in acquittal and
another quarter in conviction for a lesser offence. Since the
study was performed, further research from the University of
North London suggests that the conviction rate has fallen even
further. Rape: from recording to conviction. Home Office Research
and Planning Unit paper 71, April 1993. (Guardian 19.4.93.)
Statewatch vol 3 no 3 May-June 1993