Changes To How Rape Is Investigated Leads To More Appearing In Court

Durham Police have said that the number of offenders being brought to court has more than doubled following changes in which allegations of rape and serious sexual crim is investigated.

The force was one of four that participated in the trial, known as Operation Soteria, which involved a "more victim-focused approach" with the use of specialist training in the use of evidence.

As a result, in 2023, 103 suspects were charged with rape and 89 with sexual assault.

Det Ch Supt Nicola Lawrence, the force's head of crime, said: "Operation Soteria has allowed us to take an open and honest look at the way we work within our own organisation, how we work with partner agencies and how we can improve our investigation of sexual offences.

“Survivors of sexual offences can have confidence that if they come forward to report to the police, we will believe them and they will be treated seriously and sensitively."

She added that there was still work to be done but she hoped to bring about "lasting improvements" to deliver justice for victims.

This report reflects the change of attitude in the modern society towards the way in which survivors of sexual assaults are treated and highlights the understanding now shown by the authorities which had previously been lacking. It is hoped that these advances will encourage other survivors to come forward safe in the knowledge that if they do so, they will be treated with the respect that they deserve and their complaints will be thoroughly investigated which historically was not always the case.