A major campaign to reduce violence against women and bring more rapists and abusers to justice was announced today.
In an exclusive interview given on her first day as Director of Public Prosecutions, Alison Saunders told the Standard that attacks on women and other hate crimes were a “blight on society” that affected all sections of the community.
She said she was determined to use her five-year term leading the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure that more suspects were brought to court to face justice. The pledge by Ms Saunders, who added that prosecutors could “do more” to raise the conviction rate for rape, came as she revealed key aims.
A network of victim liaison units that will apply lessons learned during the Stephen Lawrence case.
Plans to expand pioneering anti-gang work in London to other cities and to increase efforts to divert gang members away from crime.
Optimism that a first prosecution for female genital mutilation could come “shortly”. It follows a series of reports in the Standard highlighting the practice.
Renewed efforts to increase the number of human traffickers brought to justice here and abroad.
Ms Saunders, 52, said: “I’m very excited about the next five years. The focus is going to be on issues such as violence against women where the work I’ve done in London is really going to help.”
