Rape and Sexual Offences Prosecution Guidance - Full Page Version
Plain-English digest of CPS prosecution guidance.
AI-generated summary — not verbatim. This is a plain-English digest, not the official CPS text. It may omit detail or fall out of date. Do not rely on it for a charging decision — read the full guidance on cps.gov.uk and check the current legislation.
The CPS prosecution guidance for Rape and Sexual Offences includes comprehensive advice for prosecutors on how to address these complex cases. The guidance emphasizes a victim-centered approach, understanding the impact of domestic abuse, early advice, support for complainants, reasonable lines of enquiry, and a robust case strategy focusing on established legal principles. Important topics also include tackling misconceptions about rape and sexual violence, evaluating consent, and appropriate legislative applications.
Key points
- Prosecutions for serious sexual offences require a victim-centered approach.
- Prosecutors should consider the impact of domestic abuse in RASSO cases.
- Evidence of consent must be evaluated against established legal principles.
- A suspect-centric approach is required to build strong cases.
- Prosecutors should be aware of misconceptions surrounding rape and sexual offences.
Public-interest factors
- Seriousness of the offence
- Culpability of the offender
- Potential harm to the victim
- Vulnerability of the victim
- Public interest in prosecuting sexual violence
- Impact of the offence on the victim
This is a factual digest of guidance published by the Crown Prosecution Service. Digested 2026-07-15. BlueLineHub is independent and not affiliated with the CPS.