Evidence in sexual offence prosecutions
The Government has asked the Law Commission to examine the trial process and to consider the law, guidance and practice relating to the use of evidence in prosecutions of sexual offences.
How should the rules of evidence respond to misconceptions surrounding sexual offences?
Problem (Back to top)
The Government’s End to End Rape Review found that the prevalence of rape and sexual violence has remained steady in the last five years but there has been a sharp decrease in the number of prosecutions since 2016/2017.
There are many complex reasons for the decline in cases reaching court. Our focus is on how evidence is used in trials involving sexual offences. Academic research shows that some individuals hold misconceptions about sexual harm (‘rape myths’) in relation to the credibility, behaviour and experience of complainants in cases involving a sexual offence. It is unclear how extensive such misconceptions might be amongst the public and how much impact they can have on the juror’s task of evaluating the evidence.
Some argue that jurors need more assistance with assessing evidence in relation to sensitive and challenging issues that may fall outside their own experience and understanding. We will consider whether more needs to be done in our criminal courts to tackle misconceptions.
Project (Back to top)
The Government has asked the Law Commission to examine the trial process and to consider the law, guidance and practice relating to the use of evidence in prosecutions of sexual offences.
We commenced work on the project on 17 December 2021 and published a background paper in February 2022. We then conducted research and met with stakeholders to develop provisional proposals for reform. On 23 May 2023 we published a consultation paper containing these provisional proposals .The public consultation period closed on 29 September 2023. We are now analysing the responses to the consultation and developing our final recommendations for reform.
Consultation paper
In our consultation paper, we set out our provisional proposals for reform of the way that evidence is used in sexual offences prosecutions in England and Wales. The proposed reforms have three goals: improving understanding of consent and sexual harm by countering the effects of rape myths, improving the treatment of complainants, and ensuring that defendants receive a fair trial.
Rape myths are genuine and sincere beliefs that are factually incorrect and derived from stereotypes. Despite a myriad of strategies to minimise their effects, evidence shows that myths and misconceptions about rape still contaminate some aspects of the trial process. In our consultation paper, we considered strategies to minimise the effects of these myths.
Our provisional proposals sought to address the way that evidence, such as a complainant’s counselling records or sexual history, can be used to undermine their credibility by relying on myths and misconceptions. We therefore proposed methods to help jurors better understand such misconceptions, and call for greater judicial oversight of how evidence is obtained and used.
Evidence in sexual offence prosecutions is also at times utilised in unnecessarily intrusive and traumatising ways. However, currently, complainants have little control over the way their sensitive personal information is used. We therefore propose measures that would help complainants understand their rights and allow them to be more involved in decisions about their personal records and evidence of their sexual behaviour.
The proposals would protect the defendant’s right to a fair trial by ensuring that they can present evidence relevant to their defence without causing unnecessary trauma to the complainant.
The public consultation period started on 23 May 2023 and closed on 29 September 2023.
Engagement with committees
As part of this project, we consider how to improve sexual offence complainants’ experiences of trial process while ensuring that defendants receive a fair trial. When the Home Affairs Committee launched their inquiry into the investigation and prosecution of rape with a view to improving complainants’ experiences, we provided oral evidence explaining the remit of our project and giving some preliminary views. This evidence was cited in the Committee’s report.
On 26 June 2023, we provided oral evidence to the Justice Committee as part of their inquiry into evidence in sexual offence cases. Professor Penney Lewis spoke about our recently published Consultation Paper and its provisional proposals, particularly discussing personal records, independent legal advice for complainants and special measures.
Next steps
The public consultation period closed on 29 September 2023. We are now analysing the responses to the consultation and developing our final recommendations for reform. We expect to publish the final report with recommendations in Summer 2025.
Documents (Back to top)
Background information
Archbold Review: features 1 and 2
Consultation papers
Consultation paper and summary
Alternative formats
Consultation summary (easy read)
Guidance for respondents
Route through consultation paper – ISVAs, intermediaries and witness supporters
Route through consultation paper – judiciary
Route through consultation paper – police and law enforcement
Contact (Back to top)
Contact us if you have any queries about this project.
Email: evidence.rasso@lawcommission.gov.uk
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