Allow convictions for rape and sexual assault if defendant cannot prove consent

In the last decade there has been a substantial increase in the number of reported rapes and sexual assaults, with particularly high prevalence for young women. The difficulties securing prosecution and conviction, even if the case does get before the criminal system, has created a perception that people can 'get away' with these offences. If the onus of proof was not with the victim, but with the alleged perpetrator, conviction rates could be improved. The Government could consider the various ways in which consent could be obtained and how to mitigate for 'forced consent'.