HC Deb 26 February 1997 vol 291 cc234-5W
Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Attorney-General what factors underlie the recent decline in prosecutions for rape and sexual violence; and if he will make a statement. [16656]

The Attorney-General

The Crown Prosecution Service's case work statistics do not separately record the number of prosecutions for offences of rape and sexual violence. The table shows the Home Office statistics for prosecutions of offences in rape, indecent assault on a female, unlawful sexual intercourse and buggery in England and Wales. The total number of prosecutions in 1995 was 5,715, compared with 6,276 in 1994.

The reason for this reduction is not known. The Home Office is conducting a major research project into rape cases.

Table A: Persons prosecuted at the magistrates' courts for specific casual offences—1985 to 1995
England and Wales
Buggery Rape Indecent assault on a female USI1 with girl under 13 USI1 with girl under 16
1985 289 844 2,556 138 407
1986 266 927 2,592 129 368
1987 329 1,048 3,131 155 360
1988 423 1,288 3,414 165 345
1989 376 1,400 3,646 139 290
1990 413 1,467 3,804 146 292
1991 402 1,711 3,659 155 254
1992 426 1,648 3,627 112 254
1993 371 1,704 3,639 97 189
1994 410 1,782 3,794 88 202
1995 245 1,641 3,557 77 195
1 Unlawful sexual intercourse

Source:

Crime and Criminal Justice Unit (CCJU), Home Office.