Massive regional variations in rape conviction rates were reported last week. JENNY BRENTNALL investigates the factors behind victims' chances of seeing justice

IN 2004, Gwent Police had 94 reports of rape, of which only around six ended in a court conviction.

And according to a new report, Gwent rape victims are only half as likely to see their attackers convicted as those in the South Wales Police area.

The report, launched last week by the Fawcett Commission on Women and the Criminal Justice System, shows rape conviction rates are just 6.48 per cent in Gwent, compared to 12.18 per cent in South Wales.

More worryingly, experts estimate only 20 per cent of all rapes are even reported to police, meaning many hundreds more Gwent victims a year never see their attackers brought to justice.

Vera Baird QC MP, chairwoman of the commission which published this new research, said: "It's unacceptable that a rape victim's chances of getting justice depend on where she lives.

"There is some good work being done in some areas of the country, while others are lagging behind."

Detective Chief Inspector Peter Keen, of Gwent Police, said a number of issues stand in the way of convicting offenders.

These range from people who do not report attacks in the first place to gathering the evidence needed to bring a court case against alleged offenders.

He said: "Very few of the reported rape attacks we get are from predatory strangers. Most are known to the victims."

A Crown Prosecution Service spokesman confirmed there are multiple reasons for the seemingly low conviction rate.

He said victims dropping out of investigations is "reasonably common", either because they do not want to appear in court, or because of a change in their relationship with the alleged offender.

But he said: "Just because a victim does not wish to proceed does not necessarily mean we will not prosecute."

Medical, forensic and witness evidence then have to be strong enough to convince two rape lawyers the case is likely to be successful for it to be taken to court.

He also stressed Gwent's conviction rate for the cases which do go to court is higher than average, but said the range of results should encourage different police areas to learn from each other.

Superintendent Geoff Ronayne said Gwent Police are trying to bring more offenders to justice.

He said: "We treat all allegations of rape very seriously and have developed a sensitive and caring approach to dealing with victims."

Gwent Police has 80 specially trained sexual assault officers available 24 hours a day. Victims are always guaranteed to be able to request whether they see a male or female officer and police work with outside agencies to ensure long-term support.

One of these agencies is Victim Support Gwent, which helps victims whether they decide to report the attack to police or not.

Gary Griffiths, chief executive of Victim Support Gwent, said: "We provide emotional support. Sometimes victims need to confide in someone independent without feeling they have to report it to police."

But he said many victims feel unable to face giving evidence in court and fear their sexual history will be dragged up.

Mr Griffiths also said the increase in disturbing cases involving date rape drugs like rohypnol may affect the number of rape cases taken to court.

He suggested women might feel unable to face cross-examination because their memory of events was made unclear by the drug.

If rape victims do go to court, Victim Support offers a witness service to help people prepare for their court appearance, including home visits and support at the courthouse itself.