The problems of investigating rape as part of domestic abuse

Rape as part of domestic abuse presents the police with multiple layers of complexity as it includes 2 unique/difficult offences occurring simultaneously. Both of these offences go unreported (78,000 estimated rapes, 2800 prosecutions) and when they are reported they suffer from high levels of attrition. The law of Coercion and Control was only evoked 62 times in its first six months between the end of December 2015 and end of June 2016. Out of 22 police forces in England and Wales, eight have not charged a single person with the offence (Bishop, 2016). These difficulties result from the numerous added complications of investigating these crimes.

Some of the usual evidence gathered in a criminal investigation are of little use when rape is part of domestic abuse. For example DNA and fingerprints are of little use and there are typically no witnesses. The relationship between victim and perpetrator and the risk of retribution add extra complexities. Victim’s perspectives will be considered and recommendations for improvements will be made.