Joyce warns of falling rape conviction crisis

By
Katrina Rowe
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Local politician warns of family impact of plummeting rape conviction rates

‘This is a crisis, and it’s a crisis that we need to take hold of‘ warns Joyce

  • Convictions down two thirds from previous five per cent conviction rate

  • Less than one in 60 rape cases result in a suspect being charged

Senedd Member Joyce Watson has called for Welsh Government action to protect families impacted by plummeting rape conviction rates.

At the Senedd on Tuesday (22 June), Mrs Watson highlighted last year’s shocking decline in rape convictions.

Joyce Watson MS (Labour Mid and West Wales) said:

“Trefnydd, I’d like to ask for a statement on the significant fall in rape convictions in Wales. Compared to 2016-17, convictions for rape in 2020 were down by almost two thirds, bearing in mind that they were only successful by 5 per cent in the first place. That is with less than one in 60 rape cases recorded by police resulting in a suspect being charged. Now, I recognise this is a non-devolved area, but what is devolved is the consequence and the fall-out of that. There is never, of course, one person involved in an incident of rape. If that individual happens to be a parent, their children are affected. If they’re children, their parents are affected, their siblings are affected. I remember reading an article where one such case affects 47 different people. Of course, the other side of this, by lack of conviction, and also lack of access to justice that we’ve seen, through temporary and permanent court closures, does mean that, if you are unsuccessful in your conviction, you’re very likely to be equally unsuccessful in the support that you and your family will need. So, I ask you, with respect, to bring something forward in the very near future, because this is a crisis, and it’s a crisis that we need to take hold of.”
Trefnydd Lesley Griffiths responded:
“Thank you. As you recognise, the criminal justice system is not devolved to Wales, but of course we work very closely with all police forces in Wales and with our criminal justice partners here in Wales. You’ll be aware of the significant support that has been provided by the Welsh Government over the past decade at least, and if not before. And we won’t be bystanders to abuse, and we have our violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence strategy, as you know. That’s been informed by global and national evidence that women and girls are disproportionately affected by all forms of abuse. Everyone has the right to be safe, and we have our Live Fear Free line, and anyone experiencing violence or abuse at home can obviously access that free, confidential help, 24/7, via the Live Fear Free helpline, either by chat, by call, by e-mail or by text. And I would urge all Members to ensure their constituents are aware of that.”

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