Rape victim payout cuts spark anger

In the past year, 14 rape victims - 1% of all rape-related applications - were told by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) they would receive reduced compensation payments because they were under the influence of alcohol when they were attacked.

Campaigners demanded the Government now examine past cases of rape to see if "old and silly prejudices" had affected final decisions.

One woman, who believes she was raped four years ago after having her drink spiked, successfully overturned a decision by the CICA to award her less money because she had been drinking.

She said that being told the standard award of £11,000 would be reduced by 25% in her case, to £8,250 "felt like a slap in the face".

She received a letter from the CICA which stated: "The evidence that we have shows that your excessive consumption of alcohol was a contributing factor in the incident."

The woman said: "When I read the CICA letter I just had no words; I could not take it in. It was like going back to the '70s, saying 'she was asking for it'. How else could you read the letter but as saying it's my fault I was raped?"

The CICA admitted its compensation scheme was "originally applied wrongly" but the mistake was corrected at review and the award was paid in full.

A CICA spokesman said: "Each case is considered on an individual basis. Any reduction on the basis of alcohol consumption alone is not appropriate and this most certainly does not and should not apply to victims of rape."

However, Sandra McNeill, of the Campaign to End Rape, called for an inquiry. She said: "No woman is responsible for being raped. A man knows what he is doing and it is never the woman's fault."