Britain | Trial and error

How should Britain reform rape-trial laws?

Myths about sexual crimes pollute the justice system, says the Law Commission

Storm clouds gathering above and around the statue of Lady Justice on the top of the main dome of the Royal Courts of Justice, known as Old Bailey after the street name in the City of London. — Image: Getty Images

May 30th 2023

Rape has long had the lowest charging rate of all crimes. To a degree this is inevitable. The crime is defined by the absence of consent, which can be tricky to establish. The accused and complainant tend to be the only witnesses. Reporting sexual crimes is often delayed, meaning no physical evidence. And in most cases the victim knows their attacker, making investigations exceptionally intrusive and upsetting—which is why more than half of those whose rapes have been recorded by the police withdraw from an investigation.

This article appeared in the Britain section of the print edition under the headline “A terrible trial”