University of Suffolk contributes to a new national rape policy

The University of Suffolk was one of nine institutions involved in Operation Soteria Bluestone

The University of Suffolk (UOS) has helped influence national policy on rape investigations.

The programme saw collaborative work between police forces and academics across the country.

Academic leads hope the policy will shift the focus of investigations from victims to suspects.

Prof Miranda Horvath of UOS said: "It can deliver real-world improvements in the experience of rape victims in the criminal justice system."

Known as Operation Soteria Bluestone, the programme aimed to transform responses to rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO).

The College of Policing said the operation was launched as a response to the government End-to-End Rape Review, and the Home Office pledge to increase the number of rape cases making it to court.

Prof Miranda Horvath has more than 20 years' experience in the field, which includes establishing the Violence Against Women and Girls Research Network

Prof Horvath, who is the director of the Institute for Social Justice and Crime at the university, said: "The approach to rape investigation typically tends to over-focus on the credibility of victims or survivors, and not focus on the suspects who are perpetrating these offences."

UOS was one of nine institutions that worked on the programme.

The research reported that false allegations of rape were rare, with truthful reports sitting between 90-98%, and many suspects were repeat offenders.

"Forces really need to shift their focus in investigations on to the suspects: understanding what the suspect was doing, why they were doing it, where they were doing it," Prof Horvath added.

The university contributed to nearly 30 new resources, which led to the launch of a new national operating model over the summer, implemented by all 43 police forces in England and Wales.