PPS received 600 rape files in past year in Northern Ireland

Ciaran McQuillan, head of the PPS Serious Crime Unit, said the findings showed “gradual improvement” but added much work was still needed across the criminal justice system to tackle sexual abuse and violence.

The PPS reported an increased number of sexual offences prosecuted in court (Liam McBurney/PA)

The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) in Northern Ireland received 600 files for suspected rape offences in the past year.

The PPS has published a statistical bulletin of cases which revealed that in the 2021/22 financial year the prosecution and conviction rates for sexual offences increased.