From the report to the sentence. Attrition in criminal proceedings for rape crimes in Spain

Abstract

This paper aims to address the attrition rate of criminal proceedings for rape offenses in Spain. The methodology combines the analysis of primary and secondary data. Official published data on sexual offenses and the results of a broader research consisting of quantitative and qualitative analysis of sentences handed down for rape offenses in Spain in the period between 2000 and 2019 are examined. A high attrition rate is identified. The high frequency of convictions and the low trial rate is found. A trial rate of less than 10% and a conviction rate of over 80% were determined.