Specialist courtrooms to deal with rape and serious sexual offences are set to be rolled out in a bid to tackle “shamefully low” prosecution rates, Andy Burnham has announced, reports BritPanorama.
Under new government plans, every Crown Court in England and Wales will have at least one courtroom specifically set up to hear such cases over the next two years.
Survivors will be offered private entrances and waiting rooms in courts, as well as access to facilities equipped to pre-record evidence and observe sentencing remotely.
All court staff will also receive trauma-informed training, with a single person of contact assigned to each survivor. The measures, which Rape Crisis England & Wales say are “necessary and long overdue,” are expected to cost around £23 million from the Ministry of Justice budget.
From October, trials will be prioritised with fixed dates rather than placed on floating lists in what the prime minister described as an effort to “rebalance the scales of justice and put victims first.”
Mr Burnham stated the plans are “long overdue,” acknowledging those who have been “let down” by the justice system. “Prosecution rates for rape remain shamefully low, with many victims waiting years for justice,” he said.
This initiative responds to longstanding concerns about the treatment of victims in the judicial process. “This is not good enough. That’s why we are making major changes to rebalance the scales of justice and put victims first. This includes rolling out specialist courtrooms for rape and serious sex offences,” he added.
“These changes are long overdue and will make a significant difference, but focusing on prosecution alone will not be enough. So as well as ensuring victims get justice, we will step up action to prevent these horrific crimes from happening in the first place.”
In its announcement, the Government credited Labour MP Charlotte Nichols’ “immense strength and bravery” in speaking publicly about being raped and calling for changes to a backlogged system. In March, Ms Nichols waived her automatic right to anonymity in a powerful Commons speech during which she lamented having to wait more than 1,000 days to go to court.
Ciara Bergman, CEO of Rape Crisis England & Wales, expressed satisfaction with measures that will improve trial efficiency and ensure survivors can better 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,” she stated.
Lord Chancellor Alex Norris recognised that victims have felt “left alone facing the criminal justice system for too long.” “They have been treated as cases to process and not as people to support,” he noted.
“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. Real action to improve our courts. Real action for victims. Real action to deliver the justice they deserve,” Norris stated.
Tory shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy described the move to tackle delays as “long overdue” but criticised the government’s decision to restrict jury trials. “The fact that victims have been withdrawing their cases because they have taken too long has been a disgrace,” he said. He further questioned the rationale behind restricting jury trials, urging Labour to find solutions that do not undermine this right.
