Petition · past parliament
Reverse covert policy of CPS to drop rape cases despite overwhelming evidence.
Rejected
20 signatures
What the petition asks
Between 2014 and 2018 only 4 percent of reported rapes were prosecuted, despite the number tripling during this period . If there is a perceived complication, they are second guessing the reaction of the jury, and leaving victims vulnerable, the perpetrators going free.
A "letter of action " has been taken by 21 victims, who have been treated this way, and procedures for a judicial review are under way. Harriet Wistrich, director of the Centre for Women's Justice, says " We are arguing that the CPS' systematic failure to prosecute rape is a human rights failure.." Claire Waxman, the independent victims' commissioner for London said "If the CPS have changed their policy without consultation, and it is impacting victims' access to justice, then this must be remedied immediately"
Why it was rejected
It asked for something that is not the responsibility of the UK Government or Parliament.
We can only accept petitions which call for actions that are the responsibility of the UK Government or Parliament.
This is a matter for the CPS, which is independent of both the Government and Parliament.
In March 2019, the Home Office announced it would carry out a review of the criminal justice response to rape and serious sexual offences, including an investigation into reduced volumes of police referrals, CPS charges, prosecutions and convictions for rape and serious sexual assault cases. This was one of ten key commitments in the Government's "refresh" of its Violence Against Women and Girls strategy. You can find out more here:
https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/2019/03/07/violence-against-women-and-girls-and-male-position-factsheets/
You could start a new petition calling for a clear action that is the responsibility of the Government or Parliament.
This is a matter for the CPS, which is independent of both the Government and Parliament.
In March 2019, the Home Office announced it would carry out a review of the criminal justice response to rape and serious sexual offences, including an investigation into reduced volumes of police referrals, CPS charges, prosecutions and convictions for rape and serious sexual assault cases. This was one of ten key commitments in the Government's "refresh" of its Violence Against Women and Girls strategy. You can find out more here:
https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/2019/03/07/violence-against-women-and-girls-and-male-position-factsheets/
You could start a new petition calling for a clear action that is the responsibility of the Government or Parliament.
Timeline
| 15 Jul 2019 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 30 Jul 2019 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
20
Status
Rejected
Rejected
30 Jul 2019
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.