House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
Use of Evidence in Sexual Offence Prosecutions
03 December 2025 · Ministry of Justice
Proposed by Alex Davies-Jones Lab Pontypridd
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- The Government will introduce legislative changes to prevent the misuse of evidence in sexual offence prosecutions based on the Law Commission's recommendations.
- Legislation will establish a clear statutory threshold for admitting 'victim bad character' evidence and set a higher admissibility threshold for victims' compensation claim evidence.
- The proposed action includes amending the threshold for sexual behaviour evidence and allowing domestic abuse convictions to demonstrate propensity for further similar offences.
Issue summary
The Government is introducing legislative changes to prevent the misuse of evidence in sexual offence prosecutions based on recommendations from the Law Commission's report.
Action requested
Legislation will be introduced to establish a clear statutory threshold for admitting 'victim bad character' evidence, set a higher admissibility threshold for victims’ compensation claim evidence, amend the threshold for sexual behaviour evidence, allow domestic abuse convictions of any kind to demonstrate propensity for further offending in similar contexts, and strengthen support for witnesses through special measures.
Key facts
- The Law Commission published a report titled ‘Evidence in Sexual Offences Prosecutions: A Final Report’.
- Legislation will create a threshold for admitting 'victim bad character' evidence.
- Compensation claim evidence must have substantial probative value to be admitted.
- Sexual behaviour evidence must have substantial probative value or be important explanatory evidence.
- Domestic abuse convictions of any type can demonstrate propensity for further domestic abuse offences.
- Witnesses will be allowed companions when giving evidence and courtroom screens to shield them from the defendant.