The Crime Agents When justice fails: why are rapists getting away with it?
Nov 12, 2025
Jade Blue McCrossen-Nethercott, a brave rape survivor and campaigner, shares her harrowing journey through a flawed justice system, where less than 3% of rape cases lead to conviction. Jade recounts the trauma of her own trial collapse due to the controversial use of 'sexsomnia' as a defense. The hosts discuss systemic failures, including police treatment of survivors, and explore radical ideas like removing juries from trials and using lie detectors. Jade's advocacy work aims to amplify victims’ voices and push for much-needed reform in the system.
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The Scale Of The Crisis
- Fewer than 3% of reported rapes in the UK lead to a charge, creating a justice scandal.
- Low charging rates stem from evidence difficulties, resourcing shortfalls, and entrenched rape myths in the system.
Why Rape Cases Lack Corroboration
- Many rape investigations collapse because cases often rely on two conflicting accounts with little corroborating evidence.
- Missing immediate physical, digital, or witness evidence and poor interviewing breaks the evidential chain and weakens prosecutions.
Investigation Culture Harms Victims
- Investigators often interrogate victims in ways that imply disbelief, which damages cases and retraumatises survivors.
- Rape myths (e.g., victims should have fought back) still shape police and juror reactions, skewing outcomes toward defendants.