Victims of rape and sexual assault deserve better

Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson thanked the victims for their courage in letting their stories be aired during last night’s Dispatches: Rape - Who’s on Trial?

The documentary followed Avon and Somerset Police detectives as they investigated reports of rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO) from five women – each in different circumstances.

Alongside the investigative approach highlighted, were the victims’ stories and emotional trauma: from the initial shock and horror of a rape or sexual assault to hearing whether someone would be charged with an offence or the outcome of a prosecution.

Mr Wilkinson said seeing it was important for the public to see the impact and it was shocking to watch.

“It was clear to me all those victims wanted was to be heard, listened to, believed and then wanted justice for what had happened to them – is that really so hard for us in the criminal justice system to deliver?” he said.

“Last night, those victims were from another force area but the emotional impact, and their experiences, will not be any different to victims across the country – including in our own county.

“It is important that we acknowledge how we deal with victims all the way through the process has a direct correlation with how they heal and begin to process what has happened to them.

“We must not treat a victim like they are at fault, we must ensure investigations and charging decisions are carried out in a timely manner and we must work together in the wider criminal justice system to try and get cases to court more quickly.

“If we can start to make improvements in those areas, I really believe victims will start to feel more empowered and have more confidence in the system. That can only be a good thing.

“I have said it before, and I will continue to say it, victims of rape and sexual assault deserve better.”

In Wiltshire, over the last 12 months, figures show the proportion of cases which resulted in rape detection (where a case has been handed to the CPS) has risen from 3.8% in October 2020 to 4.1% in October 2021.

Mr Wilkinson has already admitted that more needs to be done.

He added: “While Wiltshire’s figure has improved over 12 months and is higher than the national picture – I accept it isn’t good enough - and I will ensure enough resources and capability is available to Wiltshire Police to continue to improve these detections.

“As far as I am concerned, one crime is too many, one victim is too many.

“Nationally, those figures are appallingly low and this paints a rather dim picture. Victims deserve better from police forces and from the wider criminal justice system. I am determined this will change.

“I, alongside my fellow PCCs in Dorset and Hampshire, have commissioned an external, independent, review to drive improvements where they are needed in the criminal justice system, and beyond: looking at better services for victims, better training for professionals and better outcomes for victims too.

“Work to address the public’s concerns around violence against women and girls, alongside rape and serious sexual assault, will be a key feature of my new Police and Crime Plan. It will provide a joined-up approach, leadership and policing direction for the force over the next four years.

“I plan to work with the force to track every single rape case reported to them to provide that oversight. Together we will work to make Wiltshire safer.”

Help is available for victims of rape or serious sexual assault – you do not have to report a crime to get support as a victim.

All information can be found here: https://www.wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk/Horizon/support-agencies/crime/sexual-offences-and-rape/