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Sexual Offences

The Sexual Offences Act 2003 updated the law, much of which dated back to 1956.

The main provisions of the Act include the following:

  • Rape is widened to include oral penetration
  • Significant changes to the issue of consent
  • Specific offences relating to children under 13, 16 and 18
  • Offences to protect vulnerable persons with a mental disorder
  • Other miscellaneous offences
  • Strengthening the notification requirements and providing new civil preventative orders

Find out more about how we prosecute sexual offences

The Role of The Crown Prosecution Service

The Crown Prosecution Service is the government department responsible for prosecuting criminal cases investigated by the police in England and Wales.

As the principal prosecuting authority in England and Wales, we are responsible for:

  • advising the police on cases for possible prosecution
  • reviewing cases submitted by the police
  • determining any charges in more serious or complex cases
  • preparing cases for court
  • presenting cases at court

Find out more about the role of the Crown Prosecution Service

Home » News Centre » Press Releases » Specialist rape advocates for London

Specialist rape advocates for London

23/08/2006

The Crown Prosecution Service in London is recruiting a small team of specialist rape advocates to review and prosecute rape cases and other sexual offences as part of the work to improve the prosecution of these crimes in the capital.

The advocates will spend most of their time presenting cases in the Crown Court, but will also provide early pre-charge advice to police in rape investigations, meet victims and mentor less experienced lawyers in the CPS.

Chief Crown Prosecutor for London, Dru Sharpling confirmed that it is the first time that the CPS has recruited lawyers from outside the organisation to specialise in rape trials in this way.

She said: "The CPS in London wants to play its part in bringing more offenders to justice in rape cases. The low conviction rate is something that we must look at very carefully. We need to have a better understanding about best practice in the prosecution process so that we support the victims of crime effectively and build up in-house expertise by prosecuting rape trials in the Crown Court with our own specialist advocates.

"We are looking for people who have had at least five or six years experience of dealing with jury trials and have specialised in sexual offences cases to a large degree. Lawyers who have spent much of their time prosecuting in court have a unique awareness of the challenges of presenting rape cases, of dealing with defence arguments, of victim care at court and of explaining difficult issues to juries. They will be able to bring a valuable perspective not only to trials, but also to the review of cases before charge and to the process of building strong cases with the police.

"Their advocacy skills will complement the skills of our current specialist prosecutors who have developed a great deal of expertise in preparing cases for trial. They will help promote a more 'cradle to grave' approach so that we can anticipate the issues that may make or break a case when it comes to court and strengthen any weak evidential points where possible."

The recruitment of the specialist rape prosecutors is part of a drive within the CPS to routinely conduct more of its advocacy in all courts. It is expected that the rape advocates will be taking up posts in late Autumn. The CPS is initially planning to recruit a small team of three advocates.

Notes to Editors

  1. Media enquiries to HQ Press Office on 020 7710 6091.
  2. A recruitment notice will appear in The Times Law section in early September.