Only 15% of rapes reported in 2016 led to a prosecution

Tuesday 30 May 2017

Only six rapes cases out of the 40 reported by women in 2016 led to a prosecution, according to figures recently released following a request under the Freedom of Information law.

Since 2010, 30 cases have been prosecuted while a total of 158 had been reported.

The data also illustrates that the number of offences have been on the rise since 2010:

Commenting on the figures, Sara McIntosh, Chairperson of Jersey Action Against Rape, stated that she was not surprised by the gap between the number of reported cases and those that end up being prosecuted.

"We know that prosecutions for sexual assault are notoriously hard to achieve convictions on, and we have every confidence that the Attorney General is doing everything he can to ensure that prosecutions are initiated and convictions are secured when appropriate. We can only continue to encourage survivors to come forward and seek the vital specialised support that JAAR offers, regardless of whether they are going through the court process or not."

As giving evidence in court is traumatic to some victims, the charity has recently backed calls for them to be allowed to give pre-recorded video evidence, as will be the case in England and Wales starting from September.

Prosecutions and convictions can be hard to achieve in sexual offences cases if the alleged victims feel unsupported in the process, or ashamed at the prospect of sharing what happened to them in court. To avoid this, the first Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) opened in Jersey earlier this month. Chief Inspector Alison Fossey explained that one of the aims of the SARC was to support victims through the criminal justice process with an expected outcome of  "... an increased number of prosecutions and convictions".

Named Dewberry House, it is open 24-hours-a-day and aims to be the first point of contact for sexual violence victims, with or without police referral. It offers a series of services including crisis support, forensic medical examinations and the support of specialist staff. 

Laura Osmand, the SARC Co-ordinator, told Express: "They are here to provide the clients with emotional practical support and that may be through the criminal justice process. If the case is charged and appearing in court, the advisor will provide support along the way, assessing the victim's needs and making sure they are still comfortable with that process, because naturally it is quite a daunting prospect.

"They are able to liaise on behalf of the victim to the police or the witness care unit, to ensure that when they go to court they feel more in control, so they are able ultimately to give their best evidence. It is an essential role as ISVAs can be engaged with somebody for quite a long period of time. The court cases do take time form initial charge to criminal trial but we will walk alongside that victim the entire way."