Improve rape victim care

Baroness Vivien Stern has today published her independent review into the way rape complaints are handled by public authorities. The Stern Review has published 23 recommendations to improve treatment of rape victims. Baroness Stern is a Senior Research Fellow in the International Centre for Prison Studies at the School of Law, King's College London. Key recommendations call for: - A greater focus on victim care - with all victims having access to an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor if they want it An end to the widespread use of misleading rape conviction data - in particular the 'six per cent conviction rate' figure - Victim care is central to the recommendations of the Stern Review. Independent Sexual Violence Advisors support victims through the process whether or not the case goes to trial. The review considers they are cost effective and should be an intrinsic part of the way rape complainants are dealt with. It recommends that funding should be provided in all areas where demand makes the post viable.