Specialist courtrooms to prioritise rape cases in England and Wales
Also reported by BBC Top Stories
Summary
England and Wales will introduce special courtrooms dedicated to handling rape and serious sexual offence cases to improve how these cases are managed and support survivors. The government plans to make trials quicker and create safer spaces for victims, alongside new training for court staff and extra funding for victim support services.Key Facts
- Specialist courtrooms for rape and serious sexual offences will be set up in every crown court in England and Wales within two years.
- These courts will have private entrances, special waiting rooms, and technology for recording evidence early and remote sentencing observations.
- Rape cases will get fixed trial dates to reduce long delays caused by floating court lists.
- The government will invest millions to improve victim support, including £43 million for counselling, therapy, and outreach over two years.
- New trauma-informed training will be provided for court staff to better assist victims during the legal process.
- The government will create a rape justice taskforce to address delayed trials and dispel myths that discourage victims from pursuing justice.
- Labour MP Charlotte Nichols shared her personal experience to support these reforms.
- Victims commissioner Claire Waxman warned that court delays remain a serious problem and that specialist courts alone will not solve all challenges.
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