The first ever study by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) into so-called false allegations of rape and domestic violence was published last week by Keir Starmer QC, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The report, which examines a 17-month period, shows that false allegations of rape and domestic violence are perhaps more rare than previously thought, and that in only a very small number of cases was it considered that there was sufficient evidence and that it was in the public interest to prosecute a person suspected of making a false allegation of rape or domestic violence.
This publication is part of a wider programme of work for the CPS to improve its handling of cases involving violence against women and girls.
"Victims of rape and domestic violence must not be deterred from reporting the abuse they have suffered. In recent years we have worked hard to dispel the damaging myths and stereotypes that are associated with these cases,” said Mr Starmer. “One such misplaced belief is that false allegations of rape and domestic violence are rife. This report presents a more accurate picture.”
The DPP published new legal guidance on perverting the course of justice in July 2011 and, for a period of 17 months, required CPS areas to refer all cases involving an allegedly false allegation of rape, domestic violence or both to him to consider.
During the period covered by the report, there were 5,651 prosecutions for rape but only 35 for making false allegations of rape. There were 111,891 prosecutions for domestic violence, but only six for making false allegations of domestic violence. There were a further three people charged with making false allegations of both rape and domestic violence.
The report also shed light on the context within which false allegations were made. According to Mr Starmer, a significant number of these cases involved young, often vulnerable people, and sometimes even children.
“Around half of the cases involved people aged 21 and under, and some involved people with mental health difficulties,” he said. “From the cases we have analysed, the indication is that it is therefore extremely rare that a suspect deliberately makes a false allegation of rape or domestic violence purely out of malice. It is within this context that the issue should be viewed, so that myths and stereotypes around these cases are not able to take hold."
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