A NORTH-EAST support organisation for rape victims has called for changes in the way cases are handled following the publication of a critical report.

A national study by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) revealed that only 7.25 per cent of rape cases reported to police result with an offender being sentenced.

Laura Lawrence, manager of Reach (Rape Examination Advice Counselling and Help), a Tyneside centre which provides medical examinations and counselling services to rape victims, said: "To be honest, it surprises me that anyone goes to court at all.

"It's a very traumatic experience and no woman is going to feel encouraged to go through it if the conviction rate is so low.

"People have a lot more confidence about reporting rape to the police now, but we have an awfully long way to go before we can give them confidence in the court system.

"I would like to see more specialist prosecutors, someone who is understanding of the issues around rape and sexual assault and who is sensitive to people's needs."

The study analysed 1,741 cases in ten police forces across Britain, including Northumbria.

Figures for conviction rates were not available but, out of 176 cases reported in Northumbria, only 47 resulted in someone being charged.

But the force was praised by inspectors for a number of its practices, including the guidelines it publishes governing the way records are handled.

The 110-page report, which was the first to look at how rape allegations are dealt with throughout the criminal justice system, put forward 21 recommendations, including the introduction of specialist lawyers to oversee rape cases.

HMCPAI chief inspector Stephen Wooler said: "We see the potential for a lot of improvement across the whole process.

"Taken collectively, these recommendations have the potential to make the proportion of successful outcomes significantly higher."

Nearly 8,600 rapes were reported by male and female victims last year, but the Rape Crisis Federation estimates that only 12 per cent of the 50,000 women who came to them for help in 1998 contacted police.