Different systems, similar outcomes? Tracking attrition in reported rape cases in 11 European countries

Attrition, the process by which rape cases fall out of the justice system before reaching trial, has been highlighted as a critical issue in several English-speaking countries with common-law systems, and there is emerging research in some European countries. In virtually all countries where major studies have been published, the number of reported rape offences have increased over the last two decades, yet the number of prosecutions has failed to increase proportionately, resulting in a falling conviction rate.

This study, uniquely, sets out to research attrition both in the European context, which has not been widely addressed, and across countries with varying judicial systems and cultures.

In this, the first in-depth trans-European attrition study, original primary data have been collected in Austria, Belgium, England & Wales, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Portugal, Scotland and Sweden.

The Full Report Can be Accessed by the Link Below

Authors: Jo Lovett, Liz Kelly

Different systems, similar outcomes? Summary

 

Authors: Jo Lovett, Liz Kelly

Different systems, similar outcomes? Summary

Summary reports

Authors: Jo Lovett, Liz Kelly

Different systems, similar outcomes? Tracking attrition in reported rape cases in eleven European countries

Different systems, similar outcomes? Tracking attrition in reported rape cases in eleven European countries found that the majority of women reporting rape across Europe do not see justice done, and rising attrition rates make this more likely in 2009. This is the outcome of the continued influence of stereotypes of rape, rape victims and rapists at all stages of the legal process, and a failure to modernise investigation and prosecution practices. During April and May 2009 CWASU along with our European partners on the project held briefing meetings across Europe for key stakeholders and policy shapers, the summary reports for each meeting are available below, the full report will be published at the end of June.

Authors: Jo Lovett, Liz Kelly

Rape in the 21st Century; Old Behaviours, New Contexts and Emerging Powers

Funded by the ESRC, this project builds on an existing data set and seeks to explore the notion that the treatment of reported rape cases is influenced by stereotyoical notions of 'real rape' - committed by strangers, occurring in outdoor locations and involving weapons and injury - and that these function as a template from which all other types of reported cases are judged. The project investigates whether and how explicitly the 'real rape' template is central to constructions and/or understandings of rape in the criminal justice arena and whether and how this is linked to attrition.

Authors: Jo Lovett, Gordana Uzelac, Miranda Horvath, Liz Kelly

Violence against women: A briefing document on international issues and responses

An updated and revised version of the original British Council Briefing Document published in 1999. This revised document is an introduction to definitions, scale and impact of violence against women, relationship with development and exploration of responses.

Available from the British Council.Also available to download from the British Council website.

Please note, Jo Lovett should also be listed as an author of list document. The British Council are making amendments

Authors: Liz Kelly, Jo Lovett, Linda Regan

Campaigning to end violence against women

Published by Women's Aid Federation of England (WAFE)

Authors: Liz Kelly, Jo Lovett

Prevention not Prediction? A preliminary evaluation of the Metropolitan Police Domestic Violence Risk Assessment Model (SPECSS)

This is the final report that explores the findings from an evaluation of the domestic violence risk assessment process piloted by the police in London and West Yorkshire.

The project evaluated the effect of the ACPO risk assessment model by assessing whether it;

• Complies with the ACPO guidelines;
• Addresses victims needs in terms of risk;
• Compliments safety planning;
• Can be managed with police force limitations;
• Can be applied irrespective of geography, community or policing variables.

See Project: ACPO Risk Assessment Evaluation

Authors: Catherine Humphreys, Ravi K. Thiara, Linda Regan, Jo Lovett, Lorna M Dubois, Andy Gibson

Briefing document on strategic approaches to addressing violence against women

This work involved locating countries with a national strategy or Plan of Action for addressing violence against women, and canvassing the views of those in the women's NGO sector and in government about their effectiveness in dealing with this issue.

The document examines:

• UK policy development on violence against women;
• Examples of national strategies or Plans of Action which have been implemented or are under development;
• Plans of Action in the context of the advancement of women and gender equality;
• Strategies and Plans of Action in practice;
• How inclusive the current strategies and plans are;
• Positive impacts and the limitations of a national strategy or Plan of Action.

See Project; National Violence Against Women Strategies.

Currently an internal document for Amnesty International.

Authors: Jo Lovett

What a Waste: The Case for an Integrated Violence Against Women Strategy

Commissioned by the Women's National Commission (WNC), this puts forward an argument for an integrated, long-term government-led strategy for addressing violence against women and girls. Analysis was undertaken of the most recent targets and initiatives of all government departments in order to assess the extent to which gender equality and violence against women are mainstreamed.

The document includes information on:

• The prevalence of violence against women;
• The connections between different forms of violence and abuse;
• The costs of violence;
• The impacts of violence on women and girls;
  -Violence against women as an issue of human rights and equality;
• The current government approach to violence against women;
• Examples of strategic approaches

The final section outlines the basic elements such a strategy should encompass, including core aims and approaches, as well as identifying some of the key benefits to government and potential stakeholders.
On 28th February 2005 WNC, supported by Amnesty International UK, launched What a Waste at Portcullis House. A range of speakers for the voluntary and statutory sectors supported the call for a strategy and Harriet Harman, the Solicitor General, responded on behalf of the government. As a direct result Liz Kelly was invited to debate the issues on Women's Hour with Baroness Scotland, the Minister who carries the brief on both domestic violence and rape and sexual assault. The underlying research is underpinning ongoing work by the WNC to inform an audit of departmental responses year on year.

Available to view at the WNC website.

See Project: Violence Against Women Strategy

See Campaigns: End Violence Against Women Coalition

See Report: Making the Grade? An Independent analysis of Government initiatives on violence against women

Authors: Liz Kelly, Jo Lovett

A gap or a chasm? Attrition in reported rape cases

This report documents the largest and most up to date study of attrition in reporting rape in the UK.

The study involved prospective tracking of 3,500 rape cases through the criminal justice system, supplemented by data from 228 complainants and 120 professionals.

The results show an ongoing decline in the conviction rate for reported rape cases, with Home Office figures reaching an all-time low of 5.6 per cent in 2002.

Three-quarters of the sample reported to the police. However, 80% of these cases did not proceed beyond the police stage due to a combination of no criming, evidential issues and victims withdrawing their support from the criminal justice process. Only a minority of cases reached the trial stage, and here an acquittal was the more likely outcome, especially with respect to adults. Alcohol was implicated in a high proportion of cases but drugs were involved in relatively few.

The extremely low conviction rate suggests there is a chasm between complainants' expectations of the criminal justice process and what it actually delivers. However, in identifying six attrition pints, and the issues associated with them, this study finds that attrition can be conceived of as a series of smaller gaps, each of which could be addressed through targeted interventions.

Available to view at the Home Office website.

See Project: Understanding of Attrition, Decreasing Early Withdrawals and Developing Best Practice for Reporting Rape

 

Authors: Liz Kelly, Jo Lovett, Linda Regan

Sexual Assault Referral Centres: developing good practice and maximising potentials

Home Office Research Study 285.

Extract from Foreword;
'This report is one of a series of reports, which specifically reports on the findings from the evaluation of a number of projects, which were funded to support victims in the aftermath of rape. This specific report focuses on the contribution of Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs), and provides a valuable insight into the type of services that are needed to support victims in the aftermath of a traumatic crime such as rape. The findings are timely as many years after the original SARC in Manchester was established, a number of new SARCs have recently been established and several more are in the development stage'.

Available to view at the Home Office website.

See Project: Evaluation of the Crime Reduction Programme Violence Against Women Rape Projects, and a Linked National Evaluation of Sexual Assault Referral Centres

Authors: Jo Lovett, Linda Regan, Liz Kelly

Forensic Nursing: an option for improving responses to reported rape and sexual assault

Home Office Development and Practice Report 31.

The aim of this document is to provide concise guidance for a range professionals who have a role in commissioning,
organising or directly providing forensic examinations for those who have reported a rape or sexual assault. The
report, which is based upon research findings, concludes that forensic nursing can provide a cost-effective option to:
address delays in the provision of forensic examinations; increase the availability of female forensic examiners; and
also has potential to enhance professional standards.

Available from: the Home Office. Email:publications.rds@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

Also available to view at the Home Office website.

See Project: Forensic Nurse pilot at the St Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre

Authors: Liz Kelly, Jo Lovett, Linda Regan

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