The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is launching a wide ranging revision of legal guidance for prosecutors on rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO) which is being launched for consultation.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is launching a wide ranging revision of legal guidance for prosecutors on rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO) which is being launched for consultation. The new guidelines include guidance on dealing with digital materials, selfies, social media channels and dispelling myths around rape and sexual offences.
Solace welcomes the CPS revising their draft guidelines and calls on the CPS to do everything in its power to remove the barriers women face to accessing justice after rape and sexual violence.
Solace calls for an end to victim blaming and shaming of rape victims and survivors by the criminal justice system, investigators, the media and others.
Solace calls for an end to the delays to prosecute rape through the criminal justice system further compounding the trauma of victims and survivors and further shattering confidence in the criminal justice system and leading to a further under reporting of rape.
CEO at Solace, said:
“Solace welcomes these draft guidance dispelling rape myths and stereotypes. We work directly with women victims and survivors blamed and shamed for their rape and sexual assault, adding to their trauma and delaying their recovery. At present they are being let down very badly by a system that isn’t working. The Crown Prosecution Service must do everything in its power to remove the barriers women face to accessing justice including the lengthy delays in bringing rape cases to court. This public consultation must centre the experiences and voices of victims, survivors and Violence Against Women & Girls (VAWG) specialist service providers.”
Solace provides safe refuge and move on accommodation to hundreds of women and children made homeless through domestic or sexual abuse. Our rape crisis service offers a range of services to women and girls 13+ who have experienced any form of sexual violence at any time in their lives.
Find out more about our rape crisis services here: