Survivors of sex crimes harmed by investigations

SURVEY SHOWS THREE IN FOUR SUFFER MENTAL HEALTH DROP

- CARL EVE

NEW research has revealed that three in four rape and sexual assault survivors’ mental health is harmed during police investigation. The survey of more than 2,000 survivors painted a damning picture of police forces across the country, although it also revealed recent signs of progress.

The research, led by Katrin Hohl, Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at City, University of London, showed the severe impact poor policing was having on the mental health of rape and sexual assault survivors.

The largest-ever survey of its kind was completed by more 2,000 victims of sexual offences in England and Wales between January and June 2023. The survey is part of Operation Soteria Bluestone, a National Police Chiefs’ Council-led programme that aims to improve procedural justice and outcome justice for rape and other sexual offences.

One of the outcomes of Operation Soteria Bluestone was the creation of the Operation Gemstone investigation team, based at Crownhill police station, which aimed to improve the rape conviction rate. The team has already had successes such as the conviction of Plymouth commando Sam Evans and pretend taxi-driver Yuseab Woldeab.