New specialist rape courts announced: what this means for survivors

What is changing?

The changes will be introduced over the next two years and will include:

• A specialist rape and serious sexual offence courtroom in every Crown Court across England and Wales.
• Private waiting areas and separate entrances and exits to help survivors feel safer when attending court.
• Greater use of pre-recorded evidence, reducing the need for survivors to repeatedly relive traumatic experiences, therefore retraumatising people.
• Prioritisation of rape and serious sexual offence cases to reduce delays.
• Trauma-informed training for court staff.
• Trials of dedicated points of contact to help survivors navigate the court process.

The government has also previously announced plans for every police force in England and Wales to have dedicated rape and sexual offence investigation teams by the end of 2027.

Why is this announcement important?

For many survivors, the decision to report rape or sexual abuse is one of the most difficult, overwhelming choices they will ever make. And until now, the system survivors have been looking at accessing is full of backlogs. It leaves victims in limbo as they face endless delays, postponements and cancellations.

Once a report is made, people can face months or even years waiting for their case to progress. Delays, postponed hearings and ongoing uncertainty does nothing to help people to heal, leaving survivors feeling let down by the very system meant to protect them.

The reforms announced finally recognise concerns that survivors and specialist organisations have been raising for years.

Most importantly, this announcement sends a message that survivor voices are being heard and that meaningful action is being taken to address long-standing problems within the criminal justice system.

By creating dedicated courts and introducing more trauma-informed practices, the aim is to make the justice process more responsive, quicker, and better matched with survivors’ needs. It should, we hope, reduce some of the additional stress that can come with pursuing a case through the courts.

What support will be available to survivors?

What’s important to raise is that these new courts need to have the wrap around support of organisations and charities, those who are experienced and proven specialists in providing counselling and support to victims of these crimes.

Therapeutic support should be accessible and available, to all survivors, so that when people feel ready to talk, they can also begin to heal.

Leaving survivors waiting for this support, continues to leave people in ongoing emotional pain. But it doesn’t have to be like that – with the right, specialist support people can and do heal – going on to lead fulfilling lives.

Will these changes lead to more people reporting? And more convictions?

Everyone’s experience is of course, individual and different, and whether to report to the police is a deeply personal decision.

At Sue Lambert Trust, many of the people we support (around 70%) choose not to report.

Some victims may report immediately, while some may decide to do so later in life. Many of the clients we support – victims of childhood sexual abuse – do not go on to report the crime, or speak about it, for decades after.

Fear of not being believed, or the shame and stigma that is still attached to this crime, is holding them back from speaking their truth.

There is still more work to be done – to build a society that understands that sexual violence and rape is never okay.

While these changes may help build confidence in the justice system, support must never depend on whether someone reports or not.

Because healing does not begin or end with a court case, and for some people the criminal justice process can itself be challenging and re-traumatising.

That is why specialist counselling, therapeutic support and a holistic approach to meet survivors’ needs remains so integral.

Support available whether you report or not

If you have been affected by rape, sexual abuse or sexual violence, please know:

• It was not your fault.
• You are not alone.
• Support is available when you are ready.

You do not need to report to the police to access support from Sue Lambert Trust. We are here to listen, support and walk alongside you, whenever you feel the time is right.

While we continue to manage a challenging funding landscape, we are doing all we can to support everyone who needs us.

That’s why support from our community, businesses and corporates is needed more than ever.

When someone finds the courage to speak out and is ready to reach out and ask for our support, it’s so important that we’re there for them, ready to listen and support them on their journey to healing.

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