THE Solicitor General has pledged the Government will do all it can to improve the way rape cases are dealt with in court.

Speaking at a conference at Teesside University, Harriet Harman said: "Twenty years ago, when there were only three per cent women MPs, if you raised the issue of rape, it would just be greeted by sniggers. This is going to change."

The conviction rate for rape is only seven per cent. The number of reported rapes is rising but there are many victims who suffer in silence.

Ms Harman said: "A lot of people don't feel able to report rape because of the fear that the woman herself will be put on trial, that she will be blamed or her personal life will be brought out in court."

The event was organised by Redcar MP Vera Baird, a well-known campaigner on rape issues, and Stockton South MP Dari Taylor.

Other speakers included Dianne Hutchinson from Create, the Teesside rape counselling organisation, and Alane Aitken for the Women's Support Network.

Ms Harman was presented with a petition containing more than 2,000 signatures and calling for reform of the laws regarding rape.