CPS News Centre

Criminal cases that the Crown Prosecution Service take to court are in the news every day. This section also covers many issues related to our work, including violence against women and girls, hate crime, support for victims and witnesses, statistics, and speeches by the Director of Public Prosecutions and other senior staff.

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You can find our latest news stories here and search for older stories. You can also find more information about high-profile cases and the work of the CPS.

Working with the media

To make criminal court reporting more open, the CPS, police, and media representatives created a joint protocol (agreement) for working together. We are currently working on an updated version of the protocol. 

Showing 111 - 120 of 136 results for crime type "Sexual offences" & area "CPS"

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CPS and police collaboration to drive up performance on rape and serious sexual offences

Efforts to reduce the disparity between the number of rape and serious sexual offence (RASSO) cases being reported and those going to court have taken a step forward, as a blueprint to drive even closer working between police and prosecutors has been published today. The Joint National Action…
Press Release Sexual offences CPS

Significant programme of work continues at CPS to narrow the gap between reported rapes and cases which reach court

PROGRESS is being made on a major programme of work to narrow the gap between reported rapes and those which reach court. Last summer saw the launch of RASSO 2025 - the CPS strategy on rape and serious sexual offences. Underpinning this is wide ranging work to better understand and deal…
Press Release Sexual offences CPS

Specialist prosecutors work to overcome cultural barriers associated with rape and serious sexual offences

REMOVING cultural barriers that may prevent people from ethnic minorities in pursuing a rape or serious sexual offence (RASSO) prosecution is the focus of an ongoing programme of work at the Crown Prosecution Service. CPS staff have joined forces with local charities and community groups in a…
Press Release Sexual offences CPS

Prosecutors given additional tools to tackle harmful myths about online dating

With studies suggesting one in three relationships now start online*, the Crown Prosecution Service has provided additional tools for prosecutors to tackle harmful myths and stereotypes around online dating head on, to reflect this rapid shift in the way people date. In addition to updated legal…
Press Release Sexual offences CPS

Significant programme of work at CPS to narrow the gap between reported rapes and cases which reach court

A major programme of work to narrow the gap between reported rapes and those which reach court is underway at the Crown Prosecution Service as part of an ambitious five-year plan to drive confidence in the justice system. This summer saw the launch of RASSO 2025 - the CPS strategy on…
Press Release Sexual offences CPS

Early discussions with police in London are helping to increase charges for rape cases

Prosecutors in London have been working closely with police in a collective effort to improve prosecution volumes for rape and serious sexual offences. The CPS and the Metropolitan police have committed to an action plan, which is designed to boost the number of rape and serious sexual offences…
Press Release Sexual offences CPS London North London South

New legal guidance for prosecutors helps to tackle rape myths and stereotypes against the changing picture of modern life

The growing exchange of naked selfies, misconceptions about the use of ‘hook up’ dating sites and discussion of why sexual assault victims may remain in contact with their attacker all form part of new draft guidance for prosecutors on rape myths and stereotypes published by the Crown Prosecution…
Press Release Sexual offences CPS

Prosecutors and Police join forces in the North East to reduce delays in charging decisions for victims of rape and serious sexual offences

Prosecutors in the North East have been working with police to make promising strides in improving file quality and reducing delays in charging decisions for rape and sexual assault cases. Staff in the region’s Rape and serious Sexual Offences Unit (RASSO) joined forces with colleagues from…
Press Release Sexual offences CPS North East

CPS Thames and Chiltern initiatives see a significant rise in rape charges

Successful initiatives in CPS Thames and Chiltern have seen a significant rise in rape cases being charged. CPS Thames and Chiltern have seen their charge rate for rape cases increase from 60.5% in 2018-19 to 77.5% in 2019-20. This increase is a result of initiatives that the area has launched…
Press Release Sexual offences CPS Thames and Chiltern

Improving the experience of rape victims in the Justice System

Improving the experience of rape victims who enter the justice system has been the subject of pioneering joint working between CPS East Midlands and voluntary and public sector groups. Rape prosecutors are committed to giving victims of these offences a voice in court, so the CPS recognised it…
Press Release Sexual offences CPS East Midlands

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Media protocol

To ensure greater openness in the reporting of criminal proceedings, the CPS, the police and media representatives developed a joint protocol for working together. We are currently in the process of updating the protocol.

Read the current protocol

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