Case Challenging UK’s Falling Rape Prosecutions Loses in Court of Appeals

A case questioning why the rate of prosecution of rapes in the United Kingdom has dramatically dropped has been scrapped by the Court of Appeals. 

On Monday, the court dismissed the case brought by two groups against the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) alleging a “covert” policy change that had resulted in a 30 per cent drop in the rate of prosecution of rapes between 2018 and 2020, CNN reported.

While more than 55,000 rapes were recorded in 2019-2020, only 1.4 per cent resulted in a charge or summons, CPS data said.

The case was originally brought before the UK High Court by the Centre for Women’s Justice and End Violence Against Women (EVAW) in early 2020.

The decision has left the nation with no answers to why the rate of prosecutions of rapes has fallen to less than two in 100, EVAW director Andrea Simon told CNN, adding that her organisation was “deeply disappointed.”

“The Court of Appeal has given the CPS the benefit of the doubt, but we still lack alternative answers to why rape prosecutions have collapsed. This marks another establishment betrayal of victims of violence against women and girls,” Simon said.

In a judgment delivered online, three senior judges concluded that “the summary of evidence deployed by the Director of Public Prosecutions undermines the grounds advanced by the claimant,” throwing out the case.

It comes as the UK grapples with the continuing reality of violence against women in the wake of the murder of 33-year-old Sarah Everard earlier this month, and the apparent inadequacy of the system to keep women safe.

Part of EVAW’s evidence had included a file of more than 20 recent rape cases dropped by prosecutors for reasons they felt were unjust, CNN reported.

Bonny Turner, one of the women whose case was that file, told CNN she was heartbroken by the decision. 

“I feel as though the criminal justice system has been corrupted. I feel really gaslit by the whole situation,” she said. “They are giving the green light to men to rape, sexually assault with impunity.” 

In response to the judge’s decision, Director of Public Prosecutions Max Hill defended his department but said rape was one of the “most complex” crimes to prosecute. 

He told CNN they hadn’t changed their legal test guiding the decision on whether to prosecute a rape case or not.

“Independent inspectors have found no evidence of a risk-averse approach and have reported a clear improvement in the quality of our legal decision-making in rape case,” he said.

The conclusion to the case comes as other groups continue to fight in the UK courts for equality and an end to violence against women in other areas.

In February, a group of 17 women and girls announced they were taking legal action against British Gymnastics, alleging a culture of physical and psychological abuse in its clubs against young gymnasts as young as six years old.

Meanwhile, six of the nation’s leading retailers are facing equal pay legal battles alleging they’ve been unfairly paying certain workers — predominantly female staff — less for years.

What is your opinion about the declining rape prosecution rate? Let us know in the comments.

Check back daily for the most recent U.K. class action lawsuit and consumer protection news.

Read More Lawsuit & Settlement News:

6 Major Retailers Facing Equal Pay Lawsuits During International Women’s Month

NI ‘Postcode Lottery’ Blocks Women from Abortion Care

Child Abuse Laws for Coaches, Faith Leaders to Tighten Under Proposed New Act

British Gymnastics Faces Group Action Claim From 17 Women Alleging Abuse