From the Guardian · · 1m 10s
Specialist courtrooms for rape cases in England and Wales
England and Wales to introduce specialist courtrooms for rape cases to improve victim support.
In brief
England and Wales to introduce specialist courtrooms for rape cases to improve victim support. England and Wales will create specialist courtrooms for rape cases with private entrances, evidence recording facilities, and remote sentencing observation to address long delays in justice. Originally reported by the…
New specialist courtrooms
England and Wales will introduce specialist courtrooms for rape and serious sexual offence cases within two years.
Private facilities for victims
Courts will feature private entrances, waiting rooms, and evidence recording facilities for victims.
Fixed trial dates
Rape cases will have fixed trial dates instead of being delayed on floating lists.
Labour MP's experience
Labour MP Charlotte Nichols shared her experience of being raped and waiting 1,088 days for court.
“Today marks a hugely important milestone, helping to improve the experience of victims and survivors of sexual violence in the court system who are all too often retraumatised by seeking justice”
Victims commissioner warning
Victims commissioner Claire Waxman warned the backlog of rape cases is now significantly worse than in 2021.
“Tens of thousands more victims are now waiting for their cases to reach trial”
New support measures
£43m will support survivors through counselling, therapy, and outreach activities for two years.
Rape justice taskforce
A rape justice taskforce will tackle postponed rape trials and myths preventing victims from participating.
The bottom line
England and Wales will create specialist courtrooms for rape cases with private entrances, evidence recording facilities, and remote sentencing observation to address long delays in justice.
