British rape statistics have hit the headlines recently. But how complete a picture do the most commonly cited figures give? According to a widely reported study by London Metropolitan University, just 6.5 per cent of reported female rapes end in a conviction. Yet this figure is in fact the “attrition” rate. The actual conviction rate for rape—the percentage of cases brought to trial that result in convictions—has remained close to 50 per cent over the last decade (and conviction, not attrition, is the standard measure for other crimes). Media reporting on this understandably emotional issue often confuses the conviction rate with the attrition rate, obscuring the fact that while the number of reported rapes has risen sharply—increasing by around 700 per cent in the past 20 years—the number of cases coming to trial and resulting in convictions has shifted far less dramatically.
Thanks to www.straightstatistics.org and Robert Whiston for highlighting these figures
Thanks to www.straightstatistics.org and Robert Whiston for highlighting these figures
