Victims in rape cases must not feel like they are on trial, Burnham says
Summary
Andy Burnham said the government should examine how rape trials are conducted so complainants do not feel they are on trial. His comments followed Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley’s criticism of remarks reported from Russell Brand’s trial; the government has no current plan to change the law, according to BBC News.Key Facts
- A jury found Russell Brand guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault after a four-week trial in London.
- The jury found Brand not guilty of two other rape counts and one count of attempted indecent assault.
- Brand was refused bail and was due to be sentenced on Monday.
- Rowley said reported comments by Brand’s defence barrister came close to victim blaming.
- Rowley backed a proposal for judges to address rape myths and misconceptions in every rape trial.
- Burnham said he would study the case and would not rule out changes, while stressing the need to encourage reporting and raise conviction rates.
- The Victims’ Commissioner and the Centre for Women’s Justice called for trials to challenge myths about sexual violence.
- Former Conservative MP and barrister Anna Soubry said judges already give juries directions on these issues and urged people to trust juries.
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