Victims of Sexual Violence: Court Delays

Opened the debate

Mary Glindon thanked Mr Speaker for granting time to discuss court delays impacting victims of sexual violence. She noted that the situation is challenging but necessary, as justice is a British value essential for those seeking redress after falling victim to crime. The speech highlighted that the number of sexual offence cases waiting in Crown courts has increased by 44.5% since 2022 and cited examples where victims abandon prosecutions due to prolonged delays. Glindon emphasised the psychological toll on survivors, urging scrutiny into last-minute adjournments and requesting updates on government efforts to fast-track rape cases.

Government Response

Minister Alex Davies-Jones congratulated Mary Glindon on securing a crucial debate. She acknowledged the challenges faced by victims of sexual violence due to court delays and noted that justice delayed is often justice denied. The Minister reported a backlog of 73,000 cases in Crown courts as of September 2024, with an average wait time for sexual offence cases at 356 days. Davies-Jones highlighted the Government's commitment to halving violence against women and girls within a decade and mentioned steps taken such as funding additional court sitting days and extending sentencing powers. She also discussed Sir Brian Leveson's independent review of criminal courts aimed at speeding up case hearings, expected in spring 2025. The Minister emphasised ongoing efforts to improve the justice process for victims, including providing ringfenced funding for victim support services, trauma-informed training for staff, and offering pre-trial meetings with prosecutors. She outlined plans to introduce free legal advice for victims of adult rape from next year and specialist teams in every police force. Davies-Jones concluded by thanking Glindon and promising continued efforts to address the backlog and improve justice delivery.