Rape victims let down by court delays

MORE rape victims are waiting years for their case to come to court.

Forty-four courts had an increase in average delays between 2019 and 2021 to more than 1,000 days from offence to completion, according to analysis of Ministry of Justice figures shared by Labour with the Daily Express.

The MoJ stressed that the figures include historic rape allegations – and courts handling these cases see much longer examples of when they are completed after being reported.

Proof

The data shows eight courts – Great Grimsby, Lincoln, Norwich, Stafford, Swansea, Taunton, Teesside and Truro – all had average delays of over 2,000 days, including historic cases.

On average, victims waited 1,068 days – almost three years – for justice.

Labour said it was “further proof” criminals are being let off and victims are being let down. Victims’ Commissioner Dame Vera Baird QC said: “We cannot be surprised if increasing numbers decide they are unable to stay the course.”

Jo Sidhu QC, chair of the Criminal Bar Association, said: “The factual evidence from the Criminal Courts does not support the current fantasy being fed to the public by ministers that delays are beginning to reduce.”

The analysis comes just a day after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said rape convictions had risen by almost 15 per cent between October 1 and December 31.

A Government spokeswoman said: “As more victims of historic sexual offences have the confidence to come forward, the average time between offence and completion has risen.We are determined to get victims the swift justice they deserve. That’s why we are increasing court capacity and overhauling our response to rape.”