A CAMPAIGN group claims the number of people being successfully prosecuted for rape in Essex has fallen.

A report, published by equality campaigners the Fawcett Society, claims sex assault victims still face a “postcode lottery” over whether their attackers are brought to justice.

The group says in Essex in 2007 just over three per cent of people brought before the courts for rape were convicted, compared with four per cent the year before.

Katherine Rake, director of the Fawcett Society, said: “The appalling figures in most police force areas reveal women continue to face a postcode lottery when reporting rape to the police.

“Rape should be treated with the same professionalism as other crimes, with consistency in the initial response to victims and investigation across police areas.”

But Essex Police disputed the figures and insisted they are doing all they can to improve the way sex assault investigations are managed. Last year, the force recruited Det Supt John Quinton to head up the Rape Investigations Working Group.

He is in charge of reviewing the way rapes are investigated and liaising with the Crown Prosecution Service.

Mr Quinton said: “Essex Police treats rape and sexual violence with the highest priority.

“Every rape investigation is overseen by a detective inspector and the duty senior investigation officer, of superintendent rank or above, provides support and advice.

“Reports of rape and sexual offences are highly emotive and Essex Police does not underestimate the impact such crimes have on their victims.”

But Lee Eggleston, of the South Essex Rape and Incest Crisis Centre, said the support group is rarely approached for advice by police.

She said: “Police forces have been tasked with drawing up Sexual Violence Action Plans.

“As part of that, they’ve been advised to work in partnership with their local specialist sexual violence voluntary sector pro-viders to ensure better support and provision for victims of rape who choose to report their assault.

“However, the two rape crisis centres covering north and south Essex are rarely asked to draw on their expertise or knowledge which has been gained through supporting victims of sexual violence for more than 20 years. ”

Between January and December 2008, 341 rapes were reported in Essex compared with 286 for the same period in 2007.

Of the sex attacks reported in 2007, nearly 80 per cent of victims knew their alleged attackers.

Katherine Rake, from Fawcett, said: “Co-operation between the police and the CPS is also crucial if the prosecution of rape cases is to improve.”

She added: “It is a national scandal thousands of victims have no access to justice, and frequently face a culture of disbelief and delayed responses which may lead to the loss of vital evidence.

“There is also patchy provision of support services for women who have experienced rape across England and Wales, particularly in rural areas.”

“Women deserve support, safety and justice from the criminal justice system and this is not being delivered.”