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.
Under new government plans, every Crown Court in England and Wales will have at least one courtroom especially 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 said the plans are “long overdue”, as he acknowledged 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 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.
“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 said: “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.”
Lord chancellor Alex Norris acknowledged 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 said.
“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.”
Tory shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy also described the move to tackle delays is “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.
“However, rape trial delays have been used by Labour as their main justification for their attack on juries. If resources can be found to accelerate rape trials, why are they persisting in their attack on this ancient right to jury trials?
“Labour need to get courts sitting throughout the year, end the delays and clear the backlog - not undermine our right to a trial by jury.”
