NI’s handling of sex crimes ‘improved’ since critical 2018 report but still more to be done, says CJI

Chief Inspector Jacqui Durkin said she has been encouraged by the progress made since a report found in 2018 that victims of sexual violence and abuse were being failed time and time again.

But she stressed that more still needs to be done.

In 2018, a review into the criminal justice system’s handling of sex crimes was carried out by Ms Durkin’s predecessor Brendan McGuigan, titled ‘Without Witness’.

The report found that when faced with lengthy delays, an intrusive court process and a low chance of securing a conviction, a “high” number of complainants were choosing to withdraw their evidence rather than proceed with their case.

A series of recommendations were made to improve the situation.

Now, a follow-up has found that progress has been made on most – but not all – of the recommendations.

Ms Durkin said: “When CJI published its ‘Without Witness’ inspection report in 2018, inspectors made nine recommendations for improvement.

“When we carried out fieldwork for this follow-up review, we found progress was made on six recommendations with two assessed as achieved and four partially achieved. Three are assessed as not achieved.

“Better partnerships are now in place between the PSNI and the PPS (Public Prosecution Service) which aims to ensure better quality prosecution files and improved standards around the investigation and prosecution of sexual violence offences.”

She continued: “Changes within the structure of both organisations has also led to an improved focus on sexual offences and steps have been taken to address staffing pressures with more police officers and prosecutors now working on sexual offences.”

Ms Durkin said, however, that inspectors were disappointed the PPS had chosen not to fully implement a recommendation that prosecutors record the rationale for their decision-making in a proportionate way for cases regardless of what court they were heard in.

She said the PPS had chosen, instead, to limit the guidance and requirement to indictable cases, prosecuted in the Crown Court.