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.”

“Through our front-line work at Rape Crisis, we know that among the many reasons for survivors’ reluctance to report is fear, including fear of not being well treated by the criminal justice system.”

Director of public prosecutions Alison Saunders unveiled the “toolkit” telling authorities to question whether victims gave consent under the influence of alcohol or drugs and whether “a suspect held a position of power over the potential victim.”

Labour MP Seema Malhotra said the guidelines were “a long overdue measure and a vital start in turning around a culture where a victim of rape is less likely to be believed.

“Under this government the proportion of rape cases referred by police for prosecution is at its lowest level since records began, and convictions are down, despite the number of reported offences going up.

“HM Inspectorate of Constabulary has talked about a widespread ‘culture of disbelief’ in police forces that (Home Secretary) Theresa May has done little to address.”