Police forces will face regular assessments of how well they are investigating rape cases following a string of high profile failures.
Inspectors will examine whether police and prosecutors are following official guidance on how alleged rapes should be handled.
The new measures, announced by the Home Office, come amid outrage over the cases of serial sex attackers John Worboys and Kirk Reid.
Both men carried on attacking women long after they were identified as suspects because of blunders by the Metropolitan Police.
Campaigners also say rape victims face a "postcode lottery" over whether or not their attackers are brought to justice, with some forces five times more likely to secure convictions than others.
In June the National Police Improvement Agency will publish guidance on how the police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) should investigate and prosecute alleged rapes.
From next year Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) will assess forces in England and Wales on how well they are following the guidance. Forces and prosecutors will also be assessed every quarter on their performance data in bringing charges against alleged attackers.
A Home Office spokeswoman said the Reid and Worboys cases "highlighted" problems around how rape is addressed. Ministers also announced £1.8 million funding for new and existing Sexual Assault Referral Centres.
Police Minister Vernon Coaker said: "It is essential that every victim has immediate access to the services and support they need to come forward and report these crimes and bring the perpetrators to justice."
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The Government estimates up to 95% of rapes are never reported. Only 6.5% result in a guilty plea or verdict. A 2007 HMIC report found rape victims faced delays, insensitive questioning and judgmental or disbelieving attitudes.
