Victim Support court report ‘raises serious questions’ about the treatment of victim-survivors

On Thursday 10 October, Victim Support – a leading charity supporting victims of crime in England and Wales through free and confidential support – published its new report Suffering for justice: Sexual violence victim-survivors’ experiences of going to court and cross-examination.

Drawing on a number of first-hand victim-survivor accounts, the report focuses on the experience of sexual violence victim-survivors whose case has gone through the court process, dividing it into three main stages: before, during and after giving evidence, whilst highlighting the main challenges victim-survivors face at each stage.

Welcoming the report, the Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, Baroness Newlove, said that it was worrying, albeit sadly not surprising, that navigating the court process – a system in place to deliver justice – instead left victims feeling re-traumatised and distressed. This raises serious questions about the treatment of victim-survivors. The report also adds to the Victims’ Commissioner’s long-held fears that lengthy delays in the court system is taking a toll on victims.

The Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, Baroness Newlove, said:

I welcome this report and its calls for urgent reform: long waits, poor communication, as well as inconsistent access to support and special measures must all be addressed if we are to genuinely improve the victim experience.

The report raises serious questions about the treatment of, and support offered to, victims recovering from sexual violence – and sadly mirrors what victims often tell me. Whilst not surprising, it is deeply worrying to hear how navigating the court process – a system in place to deliver justice – instead left many feeling re-traumatised and distressed.

The evidence is clear. Lengthy waits for justice are taking a toll on victims and their wellbeing, while also jeopardising their chances at justice. Too often, victims are left frustrated and in the dark – some even regretting having engaged with the system in the first place.

I am grateful to Victim Support for placing the victim experience at the heart of its findings. Too often, victims’ voices are overlooked, but by so powerfully platforming victim voices, this report ensures that their concerns take centre stage.

The average adult rape case now takes 393 days to get to trial once it has reached court. Behind that number are countless victims with their lives ‘on hold’, trying to cope and recover from a life-altering – and often life-shattering – ordeal. We owe it to them to do better.

ENDS