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  3. Thematic review of the investigation and prosecution of sexual crimes
  4. Acknowledgement

Thematic review of the investigation and prosecution of sexual crimes

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Inspection reports

16th November 2017

The aim of this inspection was to review and assess the effectiveness COPFS investigation and prosecution of High Court sexual crimes having particular regard to: the effectiveness of procedures, processes and systems in ensuring cases are progressed expeditiously; the quality and thoroughness of the investigation; and the individual needs of the victims.

Additional

  • Introduction
  • Acknowledgement
  • Key Findings
  • Recommendations
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 1 – Outcome Of High Court Sexual Crimes
  • Cohort Of Investigation
  • Chapter 2 – Investigation And Prosecution Of Sexual Crimes
  • Case Study
  • Cohort Of Pre-Petition Investigation
  • Chapter 3 – Pre-Petition Investigation
  • Chapter 4 – Victims And Witnesses
  • Chapter 5 – Sensitive Personal Records
  • Cohort Of Child Offenders
  • Chapter 6 – Children
  • Annex A – Criminal Law And Procedure
  • Annex B – Victim Information And Advice (VIA) Remit
  • Footnotes

  • Introduction
  • Acknowledgement
  • Key Findings
  • Recommendations
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 1 – Outcome Of High Court Sexual Crimes
  • Cohort Of Investigation
  • Chapter 2 – Investigation And Prosecution Of Sexual Crimes
  • Case Study
  • Cohort Of Pre-Petition Investigation
  • Chapter 3 – Pre-Petition Investigation
  • Chapter 4 – Victims And Witnesses
  • Chapter 5 – Sensitive Personal Records
  • Cohort Of Child Offenders
  • Chapter 6 – Children
  • Annex A – Criminal Law And Procedure
  • Annex B – Victim Information And Advice (VIA) Remit
  • Footnotes

Acknowledgement

We wish to extend thanks to all who facilitated our visits and shared their experience and knowledge. We found many committed and dedicated professionals seeking to achieve the best outcome for each case, challenged by unprecedented numbers of serious sexual crimes in a climate of budgetary restraint and an increasingly complex criminal justice system.

We wish to thank in particular the victims of sexual crimes who, with great dignity and courage, shared with us their experience of the criminal justice system and the impact that it had and, in many cases, continues to have on their lives. Victims play a pivotal role in the investigation and prosecution of sexual crimes. Accordingly, it is important to listen to the victims’ voice to ensure improvements are made within the criminal justice system to enhance public confidence and secure the engagement of future victims and witnesses in the investigation and prosecution of these crimes.

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