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Attorney General

Answer

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 USI{1} with girl USI{1} with girl a female under 13 under 16 1985 289 944 2,556 138 407 1986 266 927 2,593 129 365 1987 329 1,048 3,131 155 360 1988 423 1,288 3,414 155 345 1989 376 1,400 3,646 139 290 1990 413 1,467 3,804 145 292 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 1,841 3,557 77 195 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} Unlawful sexual intercourse. Source: Crime and Criminal Justice Unit (CCJU), Home Office.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

16656; 291 c234-5W

Session

1996-97

Subjects

Prosecutions Rape Sexual offences Violence

Contains statistics

Yes