Lord Falconer – 2020 Comments on Low Level of Rape Prosecutions

The comments made by Lord Falconer, the Shadow Attorney General, on 30 July 2020.

These measures are welcome, however it is extremely concerning that rape convictions have now fallen to the lowest level on record in England and Wales, with no adequate explanation to why the figures have dropped so sharply.

More needs to be done to ensure that victims have the confidence to come forward to report these crimes, and have faith that the criminal justice system will be there to support them throughout.

The CPS needs to urgently identify the causes of why prosecution levels are so low, learn these lessons quickly and act swiftly to reverse this worrying deterioration of prosecution levels to ensure that victims of rape and sexual violence are not denied their right to justice.