England: Rape victims from ethnic minority backgrounds ‘let down’ by prosecutors

In a newly-published report, psychologists at Middlesex University call on the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to improve its guidance on supporting BAME rape survivors to stop them being “disadvantaged further”.

CPS figures show the number of convictions in rape cases in England and Wales fell to a record low in the year leading up to March 2020. Police received reports of 55,130 rapes but there were only 2,102 prosecutions and 1,439 convictions.

The new research paper, which looks at the role of psychologists in providing protection and support in rape cases, states BAME victims “are less likely” to see their case lead to prosecution or convictions.

It states: “There does not appear to be a policy to support BAME victims, despite evidence that BAME women and those who are refugees continue to be let down by the CPS. They are lacking any guidance on how victims from BAME groups should be supported and how systemic racism in the criminal justice system is overcome.”

The paper calls on the CPS to review their guidance on how vulnerable groups, including those with mental health issues and disabilities, should be treated along with developing guidance specifically for BAME victims.

It also demands an end to repeated governmental rape reviews, improved funding for support services including mental health and for police and prosecutors to have a “greater appreciation” of the nature of trauma memories.

Report co-author Dr Miranda Horvath, associate professor in forensic psychology at Middlesex University, said: “Rape has effectively been decriminalised in the UK now because the prosecution rate is so low and that is completely unacceptable. There are flaws at every stage of the system.”

Dr Horvath founded the Violence Against Women and Girls Research Network (VAWGRN) at Middlesex University, which now has more than 300 members internationally.

The VAWGRN has been holding regular webinars featuring academics, practitioners and front line workers, with the recordings available on its website along with a host of resources.