By Sandra Kenneth
Rape survivors across England and Wales will be provided with dedicated court entrances and private waiting areas, alongside guaranteed trial dates, as part of a major government initiative designed to tackle severe case backlogs and overhaul survivor support in the justice system.
The reforms, announced in a joint statement by Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Lord Chancellor Alex Norris, commit every Crown Court in England and Wales to establishing at least one specialist courtroom for rape and serious sexual offence cases over the next two years.
Key Reforms at a Glance
Dedicated Facilities: Installation of private entrances and waiting spaces to shield victims from contact with defendants and their supporters.
Tech-Enabled Evidence: Enhanced courtroom technology to support pre-recorded evidence and remote viewing of sentencing.
Fixed Hearing Dates: Prioritisation of trials to end floating lists that cause last-minute adjournments.
Staff & Single Contact Point: Mandatory trauma-informed training for all court personnel and a trial program offering a single point of contact for victims throughout legal proceedings.
Taskforce Creation: A new Rape Justice Taskforce to tackle trial postponements and combat myths that lead victims to withdraw.
According to Ministry of Justice data, rape cases took an average of 424 days to reach completion after entering the Crown Court in 2025. The new measures aim to streamline these timelines while eliminating secondary trauma for victims.
Government and Campaigner Reactions
“For too long, victims of rape and serious sexual offences have felt let down by our justice system,” Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated. “Prosecution rates for rape remain shamefully low, with many victims waiting years for justice… We are making major changes to rebalance the scales of justice and put victims first.” Burnham added that while judicial reform is vital, government efforts will also focus heavily on crime prevention.
Lord Chancellor Alex Norris emphasized the shift toward victim-centered care: “Victims have felt they’ve been left alone facing the criminal justice system… They have been treated as cases to process and not as people to support. The funding announced today will provide courtrooms designed with victim needs in mind and specialist training for staff.”
The package was welcomed by advocacy groups who have campaigned for these protections.
Ciara Bergman, CEO of Rape Crisis England & Wales, described the announcement as a “significant step forward,” noting: “The recognition that suitable separate waiting areas, entrances, and exits are essential to prevent survivors from being intimidated and distressed by the presence of perpetrators and their supporters is both necessary and long overdue.”
The courtroom initiatives complement broader government commitments to halve violence against women and girls over the next decade. Related measures include:
Dedicated rape and sexual offence investigation teams across all police forces in England and Wales by the end of 2027.
Over £1 billion committed to supporting victims of violence against women and girls.
Integration of domestic abuse specialists into 999 emergency control rooms and the rollout of new Domestic Abuse Protection Orders.
The reform package follows public campaigning by survivor advocates, including Charlotte Nichols, who have pushed for systemic changes to protect victims throughout the judicial process.
