Stern Baroness Vivien
University of Essex.
Med Leg J. 2012;80(Pt 2):60-6; discussion 66-8. doi: 10.1258/mlj.2012.012003.
Rape is controversial and constructing rape policy is complicated. Most victims, men and women, are raped by someone they know. The court case usually hangs on whether or not the complainant consented to the act. The defence feels free to portray the complainant in a negative light making the trial an ordeal. Some complainants decide it is one ordeal too many and withdraw from the process. Sustained criticism of the handling of rape cases over many years led to substantial improvements, with specially trained police officers, prosecutors and judges, and more defendants being convicted. Yet providing justice to rape victims requires more than an effective criminal justice response. It also requires recognition that victims are entitled to the support of the state. They should be treated with respect regardless of whether the case goes to trial or not. The rate of convictions for rape is not the only, or even the most important measure of a good policy.
强奸问题存在争议，制定强奸政策也很复杂。大多数受害者，无论男女，都是被他们认识的人强奸的。法庭案件通常取决于申诉人是否同意该行为。辩方可以随意诋毁申诉人，使审判成为一场磨难。一些申诉人认为这磨难太多，于是退出诉讼程序。多年来对强奸案件处理方式的持续批评带来了实质性改进，有了经过专门培训的警察、检察官和法官，更多被告被定罪。然而，为强奸受害者伸张正义不仅需要有效的刑事司法回应。还需要认识到受害者有权得到国家的支持。无论案件是否进入审判程序，都应尊重他们。强奸定罪率不是衡量一项好政策的唯一标准，甚至也不是最重要的标准。
