Convictions rise for violence against women
24/07/2012
The CPS has announced the highest national conviction rate on record for cases involving violence against women and girls.
Figures released yesterday (Monday 23 July) show the CPS prosecuted 91,000 cases in 2011/12 compared to 75,000 cases in 2007/8. Over the same period the number of convictions rose from 52,000 in 2007/8 to almost 67,000 in 2011/12.
These headline findings are the results of new analysis of the CPS work to tackle violence against women and girls in recent years and the reports outcomes were outlined in a speech given by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
In 2008 the CPS was the first government department to develop a strategy for tackling violence against women and girls and the publication of the report assesses its success and the work of the service in recognising this as a unified, high priority issue.
In the South East data shows the percentage of successful prosecutions for domestic violence during 2011/12 was:
- Kent 87.80%
- Surrey 87.50%
- Sussex 86.20%
And successful prosecutions for rape during the same period:
- Kent 64.5%
- Surrey 62.5%
- Sussex 63.9%
CPS Violence against Women Lead for the South East, Neil Sweet said: "We have specialist prosecutors trained in Domestic Violence and Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Units across Surrey, Sussex and Kent who work closely with the three police forces and other agencies.
"These specialists have developed the experience and expertise which enables us to give an individual focus to each case and a single point of contact for other agencies.. This improves communication, case handling and a better service to victims.
"We can ensure better implementation of our policies from the point of pre-charge advice to the police through to presenting the case at court and as a result more offenders are brought to justice."
