Rape and sexual assault cases (FOI)

Request

In an easily readable and identifiable format please provide the following information:
A

A clear amount of how many sexual assault cases were reported to the States of Jersey Police from 1 January 2015 to 22 July 2016.

B

A clear amount of how many sexual assault cases were escalated to court from 1 January 2015 to 22 July 2016.

C

A clear amount of how many sexual assault cases were successfully prosecuted from 1 January 2015 to 22 July 2016.

D

If there is a difference between amount (A) and amount (B) please provide the legal reasons as to why cases were not taken to court.

Please note that within this Freedom of Information request I am not asking for any personal details of the cases. I am requesting a clear amount of cases reported, escalated and successfully prosecuted through the States of Jersey Police.

Part 4 is asking for the reasons behind why certain cases have not been taken to court such as "Insufficient Evidence". This is not asking for specific, personal details.

Response

Clarification was sought from the requester and it was established that the term ‘Sexual Assault’ was intended to mean the offence of rape.

A

There have been 48 reports of rape made to the States of Jersey Police in the time stated.

B

Eight of these cases have escalated to court.

C

Five resulted in custodial sentences for either rape or indecent assault. One case was withdrawn after the victim withdrew the complaint. Two other cases are ongoing through the court process.

D

12 cases are still live and enquiries are continuing. Six cases relate to historic offences of 15 years or more. Seven cases were not sent to court due to insufficient evidence. 14 cases were discontinued after the victim either withdrew their complaint or failed to make a formal complaint following the initial police contact. In one case, no suspect could be identified.

In cases involving sexual offences the States of Jersey Police has made significant efforts to improve the confidence of victims to come forward and report crimes to the police. Our guidance on investigating these allegations calls for a thorough investigation of the facts. It is the credibility of the evidence that is investigated with a focus on proving or disproving the allegation against the suspect.

Where appropriate, the evidence will then be presented to the Law Officers’ Department for them to make a decision about prosecution.