WOMEN’S charities welcomed “long overdue” guidance to police and lawyers yesterday dealing with rape cases that places the emphasis on consent.

Rape Crisis welcomed the policy arguing the system had so far failed many victims of sexual assault and rape.

Spokeswoman Katie Russell said: “Rape and other sexual offences have long been under-reported, with the government estimating that only 15 per cent of those who experience these horrific crimes choose to go to the police.”