Inspectorate calls for more support for victims of sexual crimes

Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJI) has called on the criminal justice agencies to collectively work to strengthen how they engage with victims of sexual violence and abuse.

The recommendation aims to increase the level of support provided to victims of sexual crimes including rape, attempted rape and child abuse, who choose to pursue a criminal prosecution.

“This inspection into how sexual violence and abuse cases are handled by the criminal justice system identified some excellent examples of good practice.  We found many examples of dedicated staff working with victims in a professional and sensitive matter throughout the system,” said Dr Michael Maguire, Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland.

“We also found that more could be done collectively by the organisations that make up the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland to support victims of sexual offences,” he said.

Dr Maguire urged the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland (PPS) to improve communication with victims and their representatives.

“Victims of sexual violence and abuse and their representatives, identified a lack of information and updates in relation to the progress of their case, as a matter of concern.  Inspectors recognise the need for victims to be better supported as their case moves from one justice organisation to another,” said the Chief Inspector.

“We have therefore recommended the PSNI and the PPS develop a protocol for the investigation and prosecution of allegations of rape and serious sexual offences, which outlines their responsibilities in relation to updating victims.”

Dr Maguire indicated that improving the speed at which a case progressed through the justice system, would help reduce the level of trauma and anxiety involved for both victims and the accused.

The Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice also addressed the issue of attrition rates in relation to sexual crimes.

“Crimes of sexual violence and abuse are often complex and can be notoriously difficult to investigate and prosecute.  As a result, a large number of those cases which are reported to the police, drop out as they progress through the criminal justice system.

“This inspection found that while the conviction rate for crimes of sexual violence in Northern Ireland is not good in relation to the numbers that are reported, it is no worse than elsewhere in the United Kingdom,” he said.

In an effort to address attrition rates the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice said the inspection report had made a number of specific recommendations.

“We have urged the PSNI to take steps to improve its call management processes to ensure calls, in relation to sexual violence and abuse crimes, are allocated swiftly to the specialist teams who handle investigations of this type.

“We have recommended the PPS investigate the reasons why the majority of rape cases are directed for ‘no prosecution’ and if issues are identified, take action to address these where appropriate, in conjunction with the PSNI,” said Dr Maguire.

The Chief Inspector indicated the inspection report also recommended that case conferences involving counsel, the investigating police officer and the public prosecutor should be held, where counsel was instructed, to analyse the available evidence and explore ways of overcoming any difficulties which may exist.

“The report also recommended it would be beneficial if the PPS could take further steps to ensure consistency in its approach to communications, which address the perceptions of victims and their representatives, around the perceived practice of plea bargaining,” said Dr Maguire.

In conclusion, the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice said he welcomed the steps already taken to improve the way sexual violence and abuse cases were handled.

“Further improvements however can and should be made, to ensure victims of sexual violence and abuse experience the best possible service from the justice system in these demanding circumstances,” he said.