AUTHORITY BACKING FOR
RAPE CRIME REVIEW
Cleveland Police Authority has come out strongly in support of the Government's announcement that there is to be a review of how rape complaints are handled.
Police Authority Chair Councillor Dave McLuckie said he believed that Cleveland -- which has been highlighted for achieving the highest rate of rape convictions in the country -- could make a significant contribution to the review announced by the Solicitor General and Redcar MP Vera Baird, together with Harriett Hartman, Minister for Women and Equality, and Home Secretary Alan Johnson.
The review, which will be led by Baroness Stern, will examine how public bodies respond to rape complaints and will make recommendations on how to encourage more victims to report rape and how conviction rates can be fairly increased.
In June this year a report from the Fawcett Society showed that nearly one in five (18.1 per cent) of reported rapes in the Cleveland Force area in 2007 led to a conviction, compared to the national average of seven per cent.
Said Councillor McLuckie "I am sure that the Government is right in wanting the review to examine how various agencies -- including the police and Crown Prosecution Service, health services, local authorities and voluntary organisations -- work together to provide the best possible help and support for victims of rape, not just immediately after an assault has taken place but in the long term because the trauma of rape can last for a very long time.
"Dealing with rape and other sexual assault crimes is a very challenging area of work. The fact that we have relatively high rates for convictions demonstrates we take it seriously -- and we are committed to doing even better."
Authority Member Pam Andrews Mawer, who played a leading role in the setting up of the Cleveland Sexual Assault Referral Centre at Helen Britton House, says that co-operation between different organisations is vital in meeting the needs of victims -- and bringing offenders to justice.
She explained "It is interesting that the announcement of the Government's review comes on the same week as we are marking the second anniversary of the opening of Helen Britton House, which is without doubt one of the best facilities of its kind in the country.
"It was planned, developed and is operated by a partnership which brings together police, health service and specialist sexual violence services, together with the voluntary sector, and plays a crucial role in sending out the message to those who find themselves victims of rape that there is a one-step service where they can get the help they need."
The SARC offers 24 hour access to specially trained rape crisis workers, emergency contraceptive, sexual health advice and onward referral to rape counselors.
Anybody wishing to report a sexual assault should contact Cleveland Police on 01642 326326. Reports can also be made anonymously to the Sexual Assault Referral Centre on 01642 516888 and access to the full range of Sexual Assault Referral Centre services is assured even in cases where the victim does not wish to make a report to the police.