RAPE survivors face an average wait of nearly two years between reporting an offence and the start of a trial, according to a report which found that victims are being “systematically” failed. 

The damning joint report by two government watchdogs, released today, found that one case took 16 years to reach court due to an “apparent lack of evidence,” despite the presence of DNA at the scene. 

A lack of collaboration between the police and prosecutors has led to delays and poor communication with victims, the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate found. 

On average, 706 days elapsed from the date of reporting an offence to the police to the start of the trial in England and Wales. 

HM Inspector of Constabulary Wendy Williams and HM Chief Inspector of the Crown Prosecution Inspectorate Andrew Cayley QC said that rape victims are being “continually and systematically failed by the criminal justice system.”

The whole justice system must work together to provide an effective service to survivors, the report concludes. Its recommendations include creating either temporary or permanent specialist rape courts within the next three months to help clear the case backlog.

Campaigners welcomed the inspectorate’s naming of the “deeply problematic” relationships between the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the police, as well as its recommendations. 

They also said that the report does not go far enough to address cultural and attitudinal problems in the CPS that lead to rape survivors not being believed.

End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW) director Andrea Simon said: “We would expect to see the inspectorates take a systemic approach to resolving these deeply rooted issues within the CPS. 

“The culture of the institution needs to transform with strong leadership, accountability and a commitment to changing the attitudes and practice driving these failures.”

Rape Crisis England and Wales CEO Jayne Butler said that an in-depth review of CPS governance was now needed in “order to hold such poor performance to account and prevent such a scandalous drop in rape prosecutions happening again.”

Figures released earlier this year showed that in the 12 months to September 2021, only 1.3 per cent of the 63,136 rape offences recorded by police resulted in a suspect being charged.

Director of Public Prosecutions Max Hill QC said: “We accept the findings of this report and will make sure we are providing the compassionate, consistent care that victims rightly deserve.”