CPS South East launches three dedicated rape and serious sexual offences units
01/02/2012
As of the 1st February 2012 CPS South East is to launch three dedicated rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO) units across Surrey, Sussex and Kent as part of a multi-agency initiative to improve the service offered to victims of rape and serious sexual offences.
Staff in the RASSO units will offer a dedicated service to victims of these abhorrent crimes. By establishing the units throughout the South East the CPS are able to demonstrate their commitment to victim care and victim satisfaction.
The units will handle all cases involving rape, child sexual abuse, all other serious sexual offences and any matters arising from false allegations of rape. Staffed by highly committed and trained lawyers and led by a rape co-ordinator they will offer specialist legal assistance to ensure we successfully prosecute rape and serious sexual offences seriously, swiftly and effectively.
Portia Ragnauth, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor (Legal and Specialist) said:
'The establishment of the units, rape specialist prosecutors and rape monitoring will assist and improve our case handling and our response to victims of these serious sexual assaults.'
The units based in Canterbury, Brighton and Guildford will encourage improved communication between the Crown Prosecution Service, The Police and Criminal Justice System partners and will enable staff to share good practice and improve early consultation in cases.
Chris Hogben, Detective Chief Superintendent, Kent Police said:
'Kent Police continues to work with our partner agencies to further improve the quality of rape investigations and the service that we provide to victims of these serious crimes. We welcome the introduction of the dedicated rape and serious sexual offence units, enabling our investigators to get quality legal advice in a prompt and effective manner. I am very confident that the dedicated legal team working with our officers will greatly enhance the prosecution process and victim care.'
It is hoped that the specialist teams will lead to stronger prosecutions increasing the number of reports of rape, prosecutions and convictions and improving public confidence in the work that we do.
