Conviction rate vow to rape victims

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Only 15% of rape victims report the crime, and more than two thirds of those complaints do not make it to court. The overall conviction rate for rape is just 6%.

Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker and John Yates of the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) will make the pledge at a police conference.

They say they aim to achieve their target by ensuring a consistent police response to every complaint of rape in every force across the UK.

It comes days after a women's equality group claimed there was a "postcode lottery" experienced by rape victims, with women in some areas five times less likely to see their attacker convicted than in others.

The Government's plans include increasing the number of specialist centres for rape victims from 19 to 36 and running a trial scheme of supplying police forces with sexual violence advisers.

Mr Coaker said: "The challenge now is to keep up the focus on this work and ensure that the policies and procedures that have been developed are being implemented consistently.

"Every force has a responsibility to ensure that every single officer who comes into contact with a rape victim is supportive and believes the victim. It may only take the raising of an eyebrow to cause her to lose courage."

The Fawcett Society this week produced a map based on official figures which they claimed revealed "huge deficiencies in police responses to rape" in many parts of the UK.

The charity added that the conviction rate had got worse in 18 out of 43 police areas since it last looked at the figures in detail in 2004.