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Dig: Prosecution Declined is the result of the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting's yearlong look at how rape cases are investigated in Louisville. What we learned: here, the police defer to prosecutors on rape cases — and prosecutors reject the vast majority of cases presented to them. Due to this unusual relationship, most people accused of rape here will never face consequences. Most won’t be arrested or convicted. And the case will be closed anyway.

'Prosecution Declined' Investigation Wins National IRE Award

Illustration by Carrie Neumayer

KyCIR's "Prosecution Declined" investigation has been named the winner of the Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) Award for small radio stations.

The investigation was also the subject of the first season of Dig, KyCIR's new podcast. It was reported by Eleanor Klibanoff, produced by Laura Ellis and edited by Kate Howard.

Illustration, based on police body camera footage, by Carrie Neumayer

The investigation, published in December, was "a wonderful example of clear and compelling storytelling that made great use of data and audio," the judges said. "These reporters took a topic that might otherwise be hard to digest and wrapped it into a story that drew the listener in."

After the story's publication, a Metro Council committee held a public hearing to question Louisville Metro Police about the story's findings. An LMPD sergeant announced new training and other changes during that hearing.

This is the fourth time KyCIR has won this national honor.

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