This is what concerns me...
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I found an article of the gov.uk website on Sexual offences in the UK from 2013 and a certain passage struck me as wholefully unjust...
The police work with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in deciding the most appropriate course of action in each case. The CPS may decide that the police should charge an offender with a lesser offence than the one originally recorded. This does not mean that the police have incorrectly recorded the crime but rather that the CPS have applied their own charging standard which takes into account additional factors, such as whether there is a realistic chance of obtaining a conviction on the basis of the admissible evidence. Once a suspect has been identified, arrested and charged, they can either be cautioned by the police or prosecuted at court.
In 2011, there were 1,500 offenders cautioned having admitted committing a sexual offence. The most common offence for which a caution is given is sexual assault on a female, which covers offences involving touching in a sexual manner without consent. 19 offenders were cautioned for rape, almost half that of the previous year when 35 were administered. Of the 19 administered in 2011, the majority, 16, were for offenders under the age of 18.
The section in bold, whether they deem it fit to get a conviction based on the evidence. I know this is woefully unjust as it doesn't take into account any work that has been done by the offender since the arrest.
Moreover it's all about number it seems from what I can see, if they can get a conviction they will... It's not about whether they could potentially go down a different route.
It would be nice to see how many cautions are issued each year for smaller sexual offences.
The police work with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in deciding the most appropriate course of action in each case. The CPS may decide that the police should charge an offender with a lesser offence than the one originally recorded. This does not mean that the police have incorrectly recorded the crime but rather that the CPS have applied their own charging standard which takes into account additional factors, such as whether there is a realistic chance of obtaining a conviction on the basis of the admissible evidence. Once a suspect has been identified, arrested and charged, they can either be cautioned by the police or prosecuted at court.
In 2011, there were 1,500 offenders cautioned having admitted committing a sexual offence. The most common offence for which a caution is given is sexual assault on a female, which covers offences involving touching in a sexual manner without consent. 19 offenders were cautioned for rape, almost half that of the previous year when 35 were administered. Of the 19 administered in 2011, the majority, 16, were for offenders under the age of 18.
The section in bold, whether they deem it fit to get a conviction based on the evidence. I know this is woefully unjust as it doesn't take into account any work that has been done by the offender since the arrest.
Moreover it's all about number it seems from what I can see, if they can get a conviction they will... It's not about whether they could potentially go down a different route.
It would be nice to see how many cautions are issued each year for smaller sexual offences.
Hi Blackhound,
Thank you for posting on the Family and Friends forum, we understand that it is not easy to post on a forum about these difficult situations. I can see that you have not yet had a reply on your post, hopefully someone else in a similar situation or wanting to discuss a similar topic will reply soon with some thoughts and support.
In the meantime, if you would like to discuss any of these matters further please feel free to contact our Stop It Now! Helpline on 0808 1000 900. One of our trained advisors will then be able to explore your situation in detail and provide tailored guidance and support. Our trained advisors deal with similar concerns to yours every day, and will be able to talk these through with you.
I hope this has been helpful.
Take care,
Lucy
Thank you for posting on the Family and Friends forum, we understand that it is not easy to post on a forum about these difficult situations. I can see that you have not yet had a reply on your post, hopefully someone else in a similar situation or wanting to discuss a similar topic will reply soon with some thoughts and support.
In the meantime, if you would like to discuss any of these matters further please feel free to contact our Stop It Now! Helpline on 0808 1000 900. One of our trained advisors will then be able to explore your situation in detail and provide tailored guidance and support. Our trained advisors deal with similar concerns to yours every day, and will be able to talk these through with you.
I hope this has been helpful.
Take care,
Lucy