Rape victims’ compensation cut over drinking

RAPE victim campaigners in Britain called for an inquiry into “old and silly prejudices” after it emerged some women had their compensation cut because they had been drinking.

In the past year, 14 rape victims — 1% of rape-related applications — were told they would receive lower levels of compensation due to alcohol consumption, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) told the Guardian newspaper.

One woman, who believes she was raped four years ago after having her drink spiked, successfully overturned a CICA decision to award her less money because she had been drinking “excessively”.