IT is “deeply concerning” that more than 100 rape cases remained unresolved at the end of last year, a charity boss said as she called for “sustained” investment in support services and “adequate” resources for police and prosecutors.
Jersey Action Against Rape chief executive Tracey Le Brocq made the comments after the States police revealed rising levels of gender-based violence in its latest annual report.
The report showed that 111 rape cases and 157 child sexual abuse cases remained active and under investigation at the end of 2024.
Mrs Le Brocq pointed to the “profound” impact of these delays on victims.
She said: “These figures are deeply concerning, and they highlight the significant need for sustained investment in specialist support services for survivors, as well as adequate resources for the police and justice system to progress these cases effectively.
“While every investigation must be thorough and evidence-based, the reality is that long delays can have a profound emotional impact on survivors, prolonging trauma and making it harder for them to move forward.”
Each statistic represents a person whose life has been affected in a life-changing way
Tracey Le Brocq, chief executive of Jersey Action Against Rape
Mrs Le Brocq continued: “Timely and sensitive handling of rape and sexual abuse cases is essential not only for the wellbeing of victims but also for ensuring access to justice.
“It’s also important to remember that each statistic represents a person whose life has been affected in a life-changing way.”
She called for “continued collaborative work between law enforcement, prosecution services, and specialist agencies to improve investigation timescales while maintaining a survivor-centred approach”.
Deputy Catherine Curtis, Chair of the Children, Education, and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel, added that delays in bringing rape and sexual assault cases to court can be “devastating for the victim” and “unfair to the accused”.
“Victims can feel that they can’t go out of the house in case they bump into the perpetrator,” she explained.
“Long delays can cause problems with witness evidence and may even result in victims pulling out of prosecutions.”
Deputy Curtis said her panel would ask the Home Affairs Minister whether such trials could be prioritised and whether judge-only trial pilots should be considered instead of trials before jurats.
The police annual report also revealed that 841 investigations into offences against women and girls were launched last year.
This marked a 10% rise on the 763 launched in 2023, which the Home Affairs Minister attributed to “a growing confidence among victims to report”.
Deputy Mary Le Hegarat said that tackling violence against women and girls was a “top priority” for the government, noting that a police action plan for addressing violence against women and girls was 98% complete.
She also highlighted improved victim support, plans for new legislation, targeted patrols, and the success of Operation Soteria – a UK programme which was credited in the annual report for improving the way rape and serious sexual offences are investigated in Jersey
The minister said: “The ongoing work to tackle violence against women and girls involves many people to ensure it is a success and makes people in Jersey feel safe and supported.
“This includes the States of Jersey Police, Government departments as well as charities and organisations across the Island.
“I thank them all for their continued dedication to driving change, doing all they can to support prevention, raise awareness and supporting victims.”
The States police have been approached for comment.
