Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) Digital Conference

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Monday 7th December 2026 09:00 – 16:00

Bringing together Police Forces and Commissioners, the CPS, Prison and Probation Services, Local Authorities and the VCSE Sector, this Westminster Insight conference will examine how to improve the handling of Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) cases and rebuild trust in the criminal justice system.

Attend to hear the latest Government priorities, including implementation of the refreshed VAWG strategy, the Courts and Tribunals Bill and improving victim support through Victims’ Code revisions.

Explore how the Police are transforming their operational response, including next steps for Operation Soteria, improved digital forensics and workforce capabilities.

Get updated on progress made with delivering the Crown Prosecution Service’s (CPS) VAWG Strategy, implications of the Courts and Tribunals Bill, improving early advice, disclosure and backlog reduction. Including changes to enhance victim confidence through the CPS Enhanced Victim Service, Victims’ Right to Review and Operation Soteria’s post-charge pilot.

Discover how interagency models between the local Police, Council and Violence Reduction Partnership to introduce specialist, streamlined investigation pathways are reducing rape case timelines by 40%.

Hear directly from survivors about how the journey through the criminal justice system can be improved. Followed by a cross-sector panel on improving advocacy, progress to date with implementing the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024, expanding the Independent Legal Advisor Service pilot and providing truly inclusive victim support.

Later sessions explore how to improve prevention through education and community action, alongside a final panel on perpetrator management, focusing on multi-agency risk approaches to reduce reoffending.

Key Points

• Government priorities to tackle RASSO – key legislations that are reshaping victim rights, police powers, court process and accountability
• Transforming the Police response – moving beyond Operation Soteria to embed suspect-focused, evidence-led investigations
• Key developments in CPS RASSO practice – CPS reforms and court changes to improve charging decisions, timeliness and victim confidence
• Investigating rape in the digital age – how digital evidence, AI and data are transforming investigations and disclosure
• Improving multi-agency models to reduce delay and improve victim engagement in rape cases
• Learning from survivor insights to reveal barriers in the justice system and inform meaningful reform
• Cultural competence and inclusion in support – how intersectionality shapes access to justice for under-served survivor groups
• Prevention and awareness – developing community-led partnerships to shift attitudes and strengthen prevention of sexual violence
• Preventing re-offending through effective perpetrator management

Who should attend

Police Forces, Police and Crime Commissioners, CPS, Prisons, Probation, Local Authorities and the VCSE Sector including:

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