Measures include a new taskforce and trauma-informed training for court staff
The UK government has launched specialist courts for rape and serious sexual offence cases across England and Wales.
Dedicated courtrooms will be allocated in Crown courts throughout the region. Rape and sexual offence cases will be tried on fixed dates to minimize delay and uncertainty for victims.
Victims will be given private waiting rooms and entrances. The courtrooms will also be equipped with facilities that can pre-record evidence and allow for remote sentencing observation.
“For too long, victims of rape and serious sexual offences have felt let down by our justice system. Prosecution rates for rape remain shamefully low, with many victims waiting years for justice. This is not good enough. That’s why we are making major changes to rebalance the scales of justice and put victims first,” prime minister Andy Burnham said in a statement.
The initiative will be supported by a multi-million cash investment. The specialist courts will be set up over the next two years.
“The funding we are announcing today will provide that support that victims deserve – delivering courtrooms that are designed with victim needs in mind and providing specialist training for staff to handle these cases with care,” added lord chancellor Alex Norris.
Court staff will receive trauma-informed training and a trial, creating a single point of contact for victims throughout the court process. Criminal justice system leaders will also join a new Rape Justice Taskforce to address an increasing rate of delay in rape trials and tackle damaging myths around rape.
The government highlighted the efforts of parliament member Charlotte Nichols to champion the cause of victims. Nichols had revealed in March that as a victim of rape, she experienced a delay of over 1,000 days before she made it to court, per BBC.
Statistics from last year revealed that it took an average of 424 days for rape cases to complete once they went before Crown Court. Many victims dropped their cases before proceedings commenced.
“This important package of measures represents a significant step forward for our justice system, and includes many of the reforms that Rape Crisis England & Wales have been calling for over many years. Taken together, they reflect the urgency of ensuring that courts are fit for purpose and properly meet the needs of victims and survivors, which is crucial to securing justice,” said Ciara Bergman, Rape Crisis England & Wales CEO.
Bergman praised the practical arrangements being made for victims.
“We’re particularly pleased to see measures that will improve trial efficiency and ensure survivors are better able to participate in, and observe, proceedings. The recognition that suitable separate waiting areas, entrances and exits are essential to prevent survivors from being intimidated and distressed by the presence of perpetrators and their supporters is also significant. This welcome change is both necessary and long overdue,” Bergman said.
Burnham announced recently that all police forces in England and Wales would put together dedicated rape and sexual offence investigation teams by the end of 2027. Moreover, the government has committed to inject over £1 billion into helping victims of violence against women and girls.
The government also said it would station domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms across every police force in England and Wales. Moreover, it is debuting Domestic Abuse Protection Orders that will shield victims for as long as necessary.
