According to Vera Baird, the Solicitor-General, it was very shocking to see how much both police officers and prosecutors needed to shift their attitudes towards cases of rape. Baird adds that the government did not give its full effort when it came to rape cases due to believing they have a low chance of conviction.
The rate of rape conviction according to The Guardian is about six percent of those who have been accused of the crime.
“We have only partially driven through the cultural change,” Baird explains. She adds: “It’s attitudes that are stopping the police and the CPS (Crown Protection Service) attacking cases with vigour: because they think there’s a low chance of conviction, they don’t out much effort in.”
John Yates, the Assistant Police Commissioner said while the law does not need to be changed, he said that delivery is inconsistent along with advice and best practice is too often ignored as well. He said that they had much to do.
Ken MacDonald, the Director of Public Prosecutions explained that the British justice system was made a blunt instrument due to social and sexual complexities, misunderstandings, along with taking advantage and ambiguities.
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