The criminal justice system needs to regain rape victims’ trust

Prosecutors have announced new guidance on charging alleged rapes and sexual offences that they say will enable more “fair and effective decisions to make sure justice is delivered”.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is taking aim at myths involving modern technology – including perceptions of sexting and the use of dating apps, as well as the effects of trauma on victims’ memories – to give cases a better chance of passing the charging threshold.

But with only 1.4 per cent of recorded rapes currently prosecuted, it will take significant changes to restore victims’ trust in the criminal justice system.