Trial hold-ups ‘prolong rape victims’ trauma’, campaigners warn

The justice system is “failing survivors of rape” with the number of trials not going ahead on time more than doubling.

And campaigners are warning the delays “prolong the trauma” for women.

In 2015, there were 247 cases that did not start on time. Last year, this figure had soared to 586.

There is already widespread concern that only a fraction of recorded rapes result in prosecutions.

More than 67,000 attacks were recorded by police in England Wales in the 12 months to December 2021 – but there were only 1,557 reached court.

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“The delays in rape trials perpetuate the idea that women won’t be believed and prolong the trauma for so many women who are bravely seeking justice,” said Lizzy Dobres of Women’s Aid.

“There needs to be a different approach which improves justice outcomes and provides survivors with the dignity and respect they deserve. We know support for survivors of domestic abuse and violence against women and girls is not adequate, and we need to ensure long-term sustainable funding for the specialist services that support them.”

And Deniz Ugur of the End Violence Against Women Coalition said survivors “now face being re-traumatised at the hands of a system that is supposed to protect them and deliver justice”.

“On top of this, the data shows that rape trials are being cancelled, postponed or rescheduled at alarming rates that are more than double that of the previous year,” she added.

“The Government must take urgent action to address the Crown Court backlog and ensure all rape survivors can access justice and support.

“We’re also calling for the Victims and Prisoners Bill to provide free independent legal advice to survivors and protect their private counselling notes, which are frequently requested by the police and prosecutors in attempts to discredit them.”

Steve Reed, the Shadow Justice Secretary, has pledged Labour would “introduce specialist rape courts to speed up justice and lock up rapists” if it wins the next election.

But Justice minister Mike Freer blames striking lawyers for recent increases in trial delays.

And he added cases can require rescheduling for reasons including the “absence of a defendant or a witness or adjournment requests from either the prosecution or defence”.

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