Context
The question arises from concerns about the timeliness and justice for victims in cases of sexual offences, particularly given recent data showing delays in the Crown court backlog.
Question
What recent assessment has been made of the timeliness of cases involving allegations of sexual offences? According to the latest figures, 23% of cases waiting in the Crown court backlog have been outstanding for over a year. The National Audit Office highlights that rape and serious sexual offence cases are disproportionately affected by these delays.
Answer from Victoria Atkins
The Crown court backlog is beginning to decrease following a £250 million investment by the Government. Recent timeliness data shows slight improvement in adult rape cases from the second quarter of last year, but significant work remains. The national scorecards provide detailed transparency and accountability for all stages of the criminal justice system response.
Not addressed: Did not directly address whether victims should wait years or if delays indicate a loss of grip on tackling serious crime
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