Juries letting rapists off the hook 'despite clear evidence'

Juries are acquitting alleged rapists despite "clear forensic evidence" against them, the Solicitor General, will say today.

Juries are acquitting alleged rapists despite "clear forensic evidence" against them, the Solicitor General, will say today.

Harriet Harman will tell a rape conference in London that she shares the "incredulity" of prosecutors that apparently strong cases against suspected sex attackers fail.

She will also express her concern that despite the growing number of women and men who are reporting rapes to the police, the proportion that result in a successful prosecution has reached an all-time low. Fewer than one in 13 reported rapes (5.8 per cent) end in conviction.

Part of the explanation for the fall in convictions, the Solicitor General will argue, may be the willingness of crown prosecutors to bring more difficult cases that centre on a dispute over consent and juries often side with the alleged offender. Ms Harman will also tell the conference: "I'm struck too, and share the incredulity with which some prosecutors tell me of some of your cases where there was clear forensic evidence and yet the jury still acquitted."

The number of rapes against women recorded in England and Wales rose from 8,990 in 2001-02 to 11,441 the following year. The number of recorded rapes of men rose from 730 to 852 in the same period. Yet in 2002 there were only 992 trials, of which about 700 resulted in a guilty plea or conviction.

Ms Harman will say: "Victims, who in the past would have struggled to cope with the aftermath of a rape on their own, are now more likely to report it and to seek support and justice".

Her comments are being made at the launch of a new document setting out how prosecutors will handle future rape cases. The statement will be designed to explain to members of the public, and particularly victims and witnesses of rape offences, how prosecutions are conducted. It aims to encourage victims to come forward and to give them greater confidence in the prosecution process.