Radical change needed in handling of rape cases, says England and Wales police lead

Exclusive: NPCC lead for rape says specialist capability was damaged during austerity yearsCrack teams of specialist police officers are needed to bring rapists to justice and prevent a wholesale collapse of public confidence in the criminal justice system, according to the police lead for rape in England and Wales.Rape prosecutions have fallen to a record low, following a historic collapse in the number of police referrals, charges and convictions in rape cases, which critics argue amounts to the “decriminalisation” of rape. The situation is so dire that a radical reassessment of how sexual assault crimes are dealt with is needed, according to DCI Sara Crew. Continue reading... https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/feb/14/radical-change-needed-in-handling-of-cases-says-england-and-wales-police-lead #rape_and_sexual_assault #law #crime #police #uk_news #society #uk_criminal_justice