In response to the news that rape charges, prosecutions and convictions in England and Wales have fallen to their lowest levels in more than a decade, Anne Quesney, Senior Women’s Rights Advocacy Adviser at ActionAid UK says:
“It is shocking that in 2019, rape prosecutions in the UK are at their lowest level for a decade. This is essentially a ‘decriminalisation’ of rape.
"Over the last two years, with movements like #MeToo, more and more women are speaking out against violence, but they are being let down when it comes to getting justice. At ActionAid we know that many women and girls find reporting to the police and going through court traumatic – it’s very common for them to feel like they are being blamed for what happened.
"The global justice system needs to be reformed urgently to change this and prioritise providing women and girls the justice they deserve.”
ENDS
For further information or interview enquiries, please contact the media team: Frankie.harrington@actionaid.org / charlotte.clarke@actionaid.org / Jess.Midwinter@actionaid.org and/ or 020 3814 4913. If out of hours, please call +44 (0) 7753 973 486.
Notes to editors:
ActionAid is an international charity that works with women and girls living in poverty. Our dedicated local staff are changing the world with women and girls. We are ending violence and fighting poverty so that all women, everywhere, can create the future they want.