[trigger warning]
The new Crown Prosecution Service Guidance on charges related to perverting the course of justice in rape and domestic violence cases is now up.
I didn't think they'd go with my suggestion to stop doing so entirely, but the guidance is improved on the original draft in several areas. Fortunately they did take the recommendation I and others made on DPP oversight:
All cases involving an allegation of rape or domestic violence in which consideration is given to prosecuting the complainant for perverting the course of justice or for an alternative offence such as wasting police time must be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
That, hopefully, will cut down on some of the worst abuses of this charge, and make the DPP very clearly accountable for any future mistakes.
