Rape victims to be spared stress of having to face their attackers in court

RAPE victims will be spared crossexamination in court and instead provide recorded video evidence, the Government will announce today.

Elizabeth Truss, the Justice Secretary, said that from September juries will watch video recordings of the cross-examinations during a trial.

It follows successful trials using recorded evidence from vulnerable victims to try to limit the number of times they were questioned. Defendants were found to be more likely to plead guilty at the start of a trial having been shown the evidence against them.

Although judges can intervene to stop overly aggressive cross-examination, there are a growing number of instances of victims being left traumatised after being confronted by their attacker in court.

Ms Truss said the changes would help protect victims and ensure defendants receive a fair trial.

She said: “Attitudes to sex crimes and victims have changed beyond all recognition in our lifetime, and rape prosecutions are now at record levels.

“With more victims now finding the confidence to come forward, I am determined to make their path to justice swifter and less traumatic.

“This will not reduce the right to a fair trial, but will make sure victims of these abhorrent crimes are protected and able to provide their best possible evidence.”

The Ministry of Justice said the move followed a successful pilot test in which the evidence of child victims of sex offences was recorded then shown to the court. The children felt less pressure and were better able to recall events.

Ms Truss also announced a crackdown on paedophiles who use social media to “groom” victims on line. A new offence of “sexual communication with a child” – which comes into force next month – will carry a maximum two-year prison sentence, with those convicted automatically being placed on the sex offenders register.

Ms Truss said of the Prison and Courts Bill to be debated by MPs this week: “This new offence will help us tackle the early stages of grooming, and nip in the bud those targeting children online or through text messages.”

According to the Crown Prosecution Service’s latest figures, rape, domestic abuse and sexual offences now account for nearly 19 per cent of their caseload.