A series of training packages for police investigators and Crown Prosecutors tasked with improving the attrition rate for Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) coming before the courts after being reported by victims will be delivered as part of a joint plan agreed by the NPCC and CPS.

DCC Sarah Crew, Lead for Rape and Adult Sex Offences for the National Police Chiefs’ Council said the plan “goes beyond” the recommendations of the HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) 2019 report on rape charging reflecting work already underway by the CPS and police to develop new and innovative ways of working.

She added: “Our approach acknowledges not only the complexities inherent in investigating and prosecuting RASSO cases, such as myths and stereotypes, but also more recent challenges linked to the growth of digital evidence and changes in sexual behaviour. We are exploiting evidence from academic study and behavioural science in an effort to make real and lasting change.”

Part of the plan is to evaluate the use of pre-trial witness interviews with the aim of improving prosecution decision-making and helping witnesses to give their best evidence at court.

This will involve designing and rolling out learning and development materials by December next year

The plan will also provide additional, jointly delivered RASSO-specific learning and development to help investigators and prosecutors balance the needs of an investigation with the right to privacy. This training package is also scheduled to be delivered by December 2022.

Other training to be developed with clinical psychologists and academics will focus on the impact of trauma, decision-making, reasonable lines of enquiry, and the changing nature of sexual behaviours and encounters. 

The Action Plan also sets a target of Developing an online RASSO platform “Knowledge Hub” by March 2022 for both police and CPS to share learning, training, discussion forums and best practice

As part of sharing best practice there will also be an annual conference designed for RASSO investigators and prosecutors – the first of which could be in December this year.  

Dedicated project groups will take forward work to drive the agreed improvements as part of the plan according to the CPS. This work will then be reviewed by the CPS and police bi-annually to incorporate any new work and further findings from the cross-government review into rape.

The plan builds on local initiatives already underway to improve the number of cases taken forward and reduce delays in charging decisions.

In the South East of England a joint CPS and police Rape Improvement Group has been running for a year with a focus on much earlier advice, triage clinics to discuss challenging cases and scrutiny panels for decisions where no action is taken. These changes have seen forces and CPS in the South East considering an additional 225 cases and increased the proportion of cases being charged.

Forces and CPS in the North East have established single points of contact on RASSO cases to get an immediate resolution on any file quality issues, as well as regular RASSO clinics to agree investigation strategy and provide advice early on.

Progress will be monitored by the new Joint Operational Improvement Board. The board led by leaders from CPS, the National Police Chiefs’ Council and College of Policing has specific responsibility for effective joint working in relation to disclosure, case progression and Rape and Serious and Sexual Offences (RASSO). This was previously called the National Disclosure Improvement Board until the remit was expanded last month.