A clear and agreed approach for prosecutors in tackling cases of child sexual abuse has been set out by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer, QC, after a public consultation showed widespread support for the CPS interim guidelines.
To dispel some of the myths that are often associated with bringing a prosecution, the guidelines also include a list of stereotypical behaviour previously thought to undermine the credibility of young victims.
The list of common myths and stereotypes includes:
- The victim invited sex by the way they dressed or acted.
- The victim used alcohol or drugs and was therefore sexually available.
- The victim didn't scream, fight or protest so they must have been consenting.
- The victim didn't complain immediately, so it can't have been a sexual assault.
- Children can consent to their own sexual exploitation.
Alongside the guidelines the CPS is also publishing a joint protocol for information sharing in child sexual abuse cases. Police and prosecutors are now expected to share and seek appropriate information about vulnerable youngsters with and from social services, schools and family courts in accordance with the protocol and a good practice model.
This is supported by senior judges in the criminal and family courts, the Local Government Association, the Department for Education, the Association of Directors of Children Services, the Association of Chief Police Officers, and the Association of Independent Local Safeguarding Children's Board among others.
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