Latest News > 30 July 10 - Postcode lottery for victims of rape in Wales sometimes allows rapists to walk free
RAPE victims are being let down and criminals are walking free because of a lack of qualified medical experts, a leading Welsh doctor has claimed.
The British Medical Association Wales has raised serious concerns about the “patchy” provision of trained forensic medical examiners who deal with rape cases.
And a support group has spoken of how rape victims in Wales face a postcode lottery in relation to conviction rates.
Forensic medical examiners (FME) provide healthcare and forensic assessment to people in custody at the request of a police service.
But they also examine rape and child sex abuse victims and help to gather evidence which can be crucial in court cases.
Dr Richard Lewis, the BMA’s Welsh secretary, who has a postgraduate qualification in forensic and legal medicine, said: “We know that conviction rates for rape in this country are pitifully low. Around 120,000 rapes take place each year in England and Wales and yet last year saw only 2,000 convictions.
“That’s just one conviction for every 60 rapes reported to the police.
“Of course, conviction rates are not the quintessential element of an effective rape strategy, but these figures are shocking, and there is no hiding from that fact.
“There are insufficient forensic physicians with the necessary skills, leading to variation in provision, such that it is not always possible to provide doctors with sufficient experience or suitability for the task.”
Dr Lewis said not only are the victims of crime being let down but guilty people are walking free. “The truth is that at the moment rapists and other sexual offenders are able to avoid conviction and that needs to be addressed,” he said.
“In our view, rape should be treated with the same professionalism as all other crimes and have available the medical forensic capacity to deliver the high standards necessary with consistency across Wales.”
Libby Jones, who works for New Pathways, which provides dedicated support for rape victims in Wales, said: “We know there is a postcode lottery for victims of rape in Wales.
“The chances of a successful prosecution in rape cases, even when guilt is clear, should not deter victims of rape and sexual assault from coming forward. Sadly, however, all too often it does just that.
“There is a lot that needs to be done to put things right and it needs a multi-agency effort to do so. I am glad that the BMA is supporting a positive and practical way for forensic medical examiners to play their part.”
Dr Lewis added: “The BMA has been concerned about the provision of forensic medical services in Wales for some time now. It is a speciality that needs better recognition, support and development.
“The main issue is the inconsistency and patchy provision of services, the other issue is training.”
Individual police forces decide how forensic medical services are provided in their area. They may be provided by the NHS, a private organisation or individual clinician.
The BMA said it was concerned Wales has four different forensic services and is calling for an all-Wales forensic medical service to be provided through the NHS.
Chief Constable Dave Whatton is the Association of Chief Police Officers’ lead for rape and serious sexual offences. He said Acpo awaiting the coalition government’s response to Baroness Stern’s inquiry into how public authorities respond to rape complaints.
Her review supported the proposal that the funding and commissioning of forensic medical services for rape and serious sexual offending should be transferred from the police to the NHS.
“Acpo recognises high levels of training should be provided to professionals in this field and believes that there will be real benefits in improved clinical governance,” he said.
“Developments need to go hand-in-hand with the continued roll out of sexual assault referral centres, which deliver immediate and ongoing professional care and support.”
Source: W-O-N
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