The UK government has announced a new initiative to prioritize the needs of rape survivors in England and Wales. As part of this effort, every Crown Court will have at least one courtroom specially equipped to hear rape and serious sexual offence cases over the next two years. These specialist facilities will include private waiting rooms and entrances for victims, as well as equipment allowing evidence to be pre-recorded and sentencing to be observed remotely.
The changes aim to address a system in which victims have waited for long periods for their cases to be concluded. In 2025, rape cases took an average of 424 days to complete after reaching the Crown Court, according to the Ministry of Justice. The government hopes that by prioritizing these cases and providing fixed trial dates, victims will experience a more efficient and supportive process.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham emphasized that the current system has failed victims of rape and serious sexual offences. He stated that prosecution rates for rape remain low, with many victims waiting years for justice. Burnham acknowledged that changes to prosecution alone will not address the problem and that a broader approach is needed to prevent these crimes from happening in the first place.
Lord Chancellor Alex Norris highlighted that survivors have been left to navigate the criminal justice system without sufficient support. He stated that victims of rape and serious sexual offences have felt they are being treated as cases to process, rather than as people to support. The new funding will provide facilities and training designed around victims' needs.
The reforms will also require all court staff to undergo trauma-informed training, while the government will trial a system giving victims of sex offences a single point of contact throughout their court process. A new Rape Justice Taskforce will bring together leaders from across the criminal justice system to address postponed rape trials and myths that contribute to victims withdrawing from their cases.
Ciara Bergman, Chief Executive Officer of Rape Crisis England & Wales, welcomed the measures, saying they reflect the urgency of ensuring that courts are fit for purpose and properly meet the needs of victims and survivors. Bergman particularly welcomed measures aimed at improving trial efficiency and allowing survivors to participate in and observe proceedings more easily.
The announcement follows the government's pledge to halve violence against women and girls within a decade. The government has committed more than £1bn to supporting victims of violence against women and girls since coming into office, alongside measures including domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms and new Domestic Abuse Protection Orders.
Key points
- The UK government has introduced specialist rape courts with private entrances and waiting rooms for survivors.
- The changes aim to reduce delays and improve the justice system for victims of rape and serious sexual offences.
- The government has committed more than £1bn to supporting victims of violence against women and girls since coming into office.
