7th December 2006

Earlier this year Greens condemned rape prosecution figures in Gloucestershire which had the lowest prosecutions in England and Wales (i). Today Greens speak out in anger against the juries who blame women if they are raped whilst drunk, even if their drink has been spiked.

Cllr Philip Booth, a Stroud District councillor and County Green party spokesperson, said the figures confirmed today by the Economic and Social Research Council were of grave concern. He said; "There are over 50,000 rapes in the UK each year but only 600 rapists sent to jail - rape prosecution figures for the UK are utterly shocking. Today’s revelation adds to the fear and dissatisfaction that victims feel surrounds the whole rape prosecution process."

Philip Booth, a former Social Worker who has worked with victims of abuse, added: "The boundaries and definition of sexual consent are currently so blurred that even the courts are having difficulty in convicting the perpetrator. Even though the law recently changed in an attempt to boost convictions it seems that it was not enough. Not only do we need to redefine the law on a person’s ability to consent to sex, but we must change attitudes surrounding what rape entails. Maybe it is time to introduce issues of consent as part of education in schools?"

Philip Booth said: "We are fortunate in the County to have the Gloucestershire Rape Crisis Centre, but clearly more work is needed before women can have the confidence that their case will be taken seriously. What ever the circumstances, whether the victim is drunk, has had their drink spiked or is simply not in a situation where they can say ’No’ or ‘Yes’, rape should not and can not be seen as an excusable crime."