Today (21 September), the Prime Minister has announced that specialist rape courts will be introduced nationwide. This will be monumental in improving the experience of victims and survivors of sexual violence in the justice system, who are all too often retraumatised, just by doing the right thing and seeking justice.
Charlotte Nichols MP said:
“I can’t tell you how much it means to me that substantive meaningful change has come from waiving my anonymity to speak about my own experiences six months ago, and I am hugely grateful to the Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor for taking forward the measures I have lobbied hard for.
“I know the difference that these changes would have made for me and so many of the survivors of sexual violence I have worked with in recent years. I would like to thank those people for their bravery and courage in speaking out, you are the reason that justice will finally be delivered.”
This announcement is is a £23m package of measures which will include:
A specialist RASSO courtroom in every Crown Court location by 2028, with trauma-informed court staff, better access to special measures, and a consistent best-practice approach across sexual offence trials;
A dedicated single point of contact for victims at court, helping people navigate the process alongside existing specialist support services;
Physical adaptations to our courts including separate entrances and waiting areas;
And a new task force, chaired by the Lord Chancellor, to tackle delays and improve the progression of rape cases through the criminal justice system.
“Of course, this is just one step in the fight to end violence against women and girls, and sexual violence as a whole. As the Prime Minister lays out, we will also continue to work hard on preventative methods, including better education for young people.”
