Dear

All I want for Christmas is justice for rape survivors. 

The Truth About Rape Campaign has alerted me to the injustice faced by rape complainants in the UK courts.  Where there is more than one alleged rapist the complainant is forced to endure multiple questioning by defence barristers and they have no legal redress. This harrowing experience, combined with discriminatory attitudes held by certain members of the judiciary, results in injustice and I am therefore calling upon you to take action.

I am appalled that some judges seem to base their sentencing on rape myths and untested beliefs about human behaviour. The Truth About Rape have documented evidence of poor sentencing by a number of judges including:

• sentencing a man convicted of possessing and distributing child pornography to only 2 years imprisonment;
• sentencing two men convicted of multiple child sexual abuse to only 5 years and 8 years respectively, which would result in one man serving less than 2 years and the other less than 5 years and;
• sentencing the rapist of a 13 MONTH old girl to just 5 years.

There is also evidence which shows that these judges are capable of appropriate sentencing in theft cases which leads me to believe that these judges view theft of property as a more serious crime than rape and/or sexual assault of women and children. 

The State has a duty to protect its citizens from harm and abuse. Are women and children not included? Women are just as human as men and are entitled to their human rights. HOW MUCH EVIDENCE DO WE NEED before we take action?

I believe it is vital that individuals such as judges, who are in positions of authority within the legal system, demonstrate due diligence in upholding women’s right to sexual autonomy and bodily integrity by awarding sentences that are proportionate to the harm committed in sexual offences. The evidence shows that some judges fail to do this and so continue to perpetuate injustice.

I call for the following:

• Justice system staff, including judges, to receive training on sexual violence issues from rape crisis centres;
• Legal representation for complainants in rape trials;
• The dismissal of judges who make misogynistic/sexist comments in court and;
• The creation of a judges Inspectorate/Ombudsman to conduct independent reports and who the public can appeal to.

All I want for Christmas is justice for rape complainants.

It is estimated that around 17,000 women will report rape in 2005 – that is one woman raped every minute of every day. The UK current conviction rate in rape is around 6% - that means just 6 in each 100 rape cases will result in a rapist going to prison. Please can we change that?

Can you grant me my Christmas wish?