Victims of rape and serious sexual assaults who face their cases being dropped by prosecutors will, for the first time, be given the right to have it reviewed by a different prosecutor, as part of the Government’s pledge to halve violence against women and girls and its Plan for Change.
Under the current system, criminal cases can be stopped at any point if a prosecutor decides there is no longer a realistic prospect of conviction.
Through the changes announced today, for the first time, survivors of rape or serious sexual abuse will be offered the right for their case to be reviewed by a different prosecutor before any final decisions are made, and if that prosecutor determines there is enough evidence, the case will continue.
The move will help to restore confidence in the justice system, get victims the answers they deserve and put perpetrators behind bars.
The pilot, which launches this week, is starting in the West Midlands, with the intention for it to be rolled out nationwide if found to be successful.
Today’s announcement is just one step in the Government’s commitment to restore confidence in the justice system and protect victims of sexual abuse.
Since coming into office, the Government has already taken immediate action including putting domestic abuse specialists in the first five 999 control rooms under Raneem’s Law, launching new domestic abuse protection orders in select areas, announcing new measures to tackle stalking and investing nearly £20 million in funding for specialist services which support victims of abuse.