Specialist courts to handle rape cases are being set up in every crown court in the country.
A dedicated courtroom to prosecute serious sexual offences will be established in crown courts across England and Wales in the next two years in a bid to reduce the length of time victims are waiting for justice.
From October, rape trials will be given a fixed date, rather than being placed on ‘floating lists’ where the start of a case can slip by days, weeks or months.
Victims will be offered a private entrance and waiting room to keep them away from the defendant.
Court staff are also being trained so victims can have a single person to contact about their case.
Andy Burnham announced the package of measures set to cost around £23million as he pledged to ‘rebalance the scales of justice and put victims first.’
Specialist rape courts were first set up as a pilot scheme in Leeds, Newcastle and Snaresbrook Crown Court in London in 2022, but now there will be one in every crown court.
Legal groups welcomed the move, but they warned it will still prove difficult to find lawyers and judges to hear the cases.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a package of measures to include setting up dedicated serious sexual offences courtrooms across England and Wales
Mr Burnham said: ‘For too long, victims of rape and serious sexual offences have felt let down by our justice system.
‘Prosecution rates for rape remain shamefully low, with many victims waiting years for justice.
‘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.’
Andrew Thomas KC, Chair of the Criminal Bar Association, said: ‘This is excellent news. For too long, cases of rape, serious sexual violence and domestic abuse have been pushed to the back of the queue.
‘It is practical measures like this which are needed to reduce the effect of court delays.’
