Successful charges in sexual offence cases rise from 8% to 18% in 12 months

In April 2023, we set up the Domestic Abuse, Rape, and sexual offences Team (DART) to improve our outcomes around cases involving sexual offences and domestic abuse.

According to the Criminal Justice Dashboard, between January 2024 and January 2025 we raised our quarterly rate of successful charges in sexual offence cases from 8% to 18%.

This is 10% higher than the national average for charges in sexual offence cases. 

A charge takes place when the Crown Prosecution Service agree that we have presented enough evidence for a suspect of an offence to be taken to court for a trial.

According to a survey as part of Op Soteria, 64% of victims told us that Warwickshire Police always made them feel believed (up from 33% before 2021).

These welcome improvements are part of having a dedicated team who can provide a consistent approach to providing support for survivors of sexual abuse.

Op Soteria is a national effort to transform policing’s approach to investigating rape and serious sexual offences. We have been working to implement the recommendations of Op Soteria since 2022.

DCI Martyn Kendall of DART said “The establishment of specialist investigators, as well as the consistent efforts from the Force from control room to officer on the ground, has resulted in us more than doubling the number of suspects we have been able to charge in only one year.

“We recognise that there’s still more to do and we are dedicated to continuing to improve our outcomes within DART, as well as working more closely with partners.

“However this shows the dedication of the team, who tirelessly work to find evidence, investigate, identify suspects, and support victims.

“We hope that this news is a reassurance to victims of sexual offences that we work hard to bring the people who hurt them to justice.”  

A Warwickshire survivor of domestic abuse and sexual offences came forward to share her story – find out more here. 

For more information about what to do if you are the victim of a sexual offence, visit the advice page on our website.