- Rape is a horrific crime that can have life-long devasting impacts on its victims, which is why it is essential that victims get the best support possible as they seek justice.
- That is why this Conservative Government is trialling enhanced specialist sexual violence support at three major courts, and pledging a £460 million investment in this through the Victims' Bill. All court staff, police and prosecutors working on cases will receive specialist trauma training, and expert at-court support will be available for victims.
- With rape convictions up two thirds over the last year, and cases being completed five weeks quicker, this will build on the Conservative Government’s progress in improving victims’ experience of the criminal justice system.
Rape victims will receive enhanced support at three Crown Court centres under a new pilot scheme launched by the Conservative Government as part of efforts to drive up prosecutions and convictions, and make sure victims get the justice they deserve.
All court staff, police and prosecutors working on cases will receive specialist trauma training, and expert at-court support—such as Independent Sexual Violence Advisors—will be available for victims.
Working closely with the police, the Crown Prosecution Service, and the judiciary, the Government will use its experience of the pilot schemes to complement ongoing efforts to tackle the post-Covid case backlog by increasing the volume and speed of cases flowing through the system.
Leeds, Newcastle and Snaresbrook (London) have been chosen as the pilot Crown Courts, as they are currently dealing with a higher-than-average number of sex offence cases.
Their courtrooms will be equipped with new video technology, and be able to take advantage of the rapid rollout of pre-recorded cross-examination for victims of rape. Subject to a successful application to the court, this spares victims the stress of giving evidence during a live trial, and has already been introduced at 37 courts.
The initiative comes a year after the Government published its Rape Review Action Plan, with an update showing that considerable headway is being made in increasing convictions and improving support for victims.
Alongside this, the Government is continuing to roll out Operation Soteria: a new approach to investigating rape that focuses on the suspects not the victims. It involves academics working with police forces to examine their handling of rape cases, and recommending operational changes. It is already in action in five police force areas, and will soon be rolled out to a further 14 forces by September.
Over £460 million is being invested in victim support over the next three years, increasing the amount spent per year by 2025 by 92 per cent compared to 2020/21.
This announcement builds on the publication of a draft Victims' Bill, which will amplify victims’ voices, and make justice agencies more accountable for the service they deliver.
Commenting, Eddisbury MP Edward Timpson CBE said:
“Rape is a horrific crime that can have life-long devasting impacts on its victims, which is why it is essential that victims get the best support possible as they seek justice.
“That is why am I really pleased to see the Government pledging a £460 million investment in victims' services, and introducing new pilots to boost support for rape victims in court, just as new data reveals that rape convictions are up two thirds over the last year.
“This will make sure victims get the help and support they need, while those who harm them are put behind bars.”
Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, the Rt Hon Dominic Raab MP, added:
“Rape convictions are up two thirds over the last year and cases are being completed five weeks quicker.
“But we are keen to go further, and these pilots will focus on improving support for victims, tackling the backlog and reducing delays.
“We’re also rolling out pre-recorded cross examination faster, recruiting 1,000 sexual violence advisors, developing a 24/7 helpline, and improving collaboration between police and prosecutors to ensure victims get the justice they deserve.”
Commenting, Home Secretary, the Rt Hon Priti Patel MP, said:
“Rape is an abhorrent crime, and I want to see a transformation in the way these investigations are handled to make sure that all victims receive the best support possible throughout the entire process.
“By making investigations less intrusive and putting victims at the forefront, we can improve the way in which the police handle these cases, so that the brave victims who come forward are not let down, and the criminals responsible are put behind bars.”