How can we support the CPS to prosecute Rape and Serious Sexual Offences

The FDA is delighted to invite you to their report launch panel event on how the CPS can be supported to increase prosecutions for Rape and Serious Sexual Offences.

The FDA is the trade union for managers and professionals in public service working across Government Departments, with over 1400 members in the CPS, including over 200 working as rape and Serious Sexual offences (RASSO) lawyers.

The Government has made halving violence against women a core part of its mission to reduce crime nationally, and included wide-ranging plans in its manifesto. Part of this mission has been a clear prioritisation of prosecuting RASSO offences. However, over the past years, the backlogs for rape cases has dramatically increased and prosecution rates have fallen. 

This event will discuss new analysis provided by our members in the CPS about how they see the system from the inside and the barriers to supporting victims and to prosecuting offenders. It will also well provide clear ways that the current system can be improved.

Speakers:

Opening remarks:

• Alex Brewer MP

Panellists:

• Rachel Sylvester, Columnist and Chair of The Times' Crime and Justice Commission (Chair)
  
• Sam Townend KC, Chair of the Bar Council
• Kama Melly KC, Chair of the Criminal Bar Association's RASSO Group
  
• Amelia Handy, Head of Public Affairs and Policy, Rape Crisis England and Wales
• Stephen Head, FDA National Convenor for CPS