Rape victims spared ordeal in court

RAPE victims will no longer have to go through the ordeal of giving evidence in court thanks to new government rules.

The new measures will see victims of rape and other sex crimes have their evidence recorded and played during the trial

Judges will also be instructed to offer better protection for victims who go through cross-examination by defence lawyers. Before the recording can begin the judge will determine a set of “ground rules” including how long the crossexamination can go on for.

This also means a judge can order questions which would be ruled inadmissible in trial – such as previous sexual history – to be edited out of the recording before it is played to a jury.

The plans had been due to be introduced next year but Justice Secretary Liz Truss fast-tracked them to take effect in September. She said: “Attitudes to sex crimes and victims have changed beyond all recognition and rape prosecutions are at record levels.

“With more victims 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.”

Work on a similar scheme for child victims of sexual offences has already begun. A successful pilot scheme showed victims felt less pressure giving pre-trial evidence and that witnesses were better able to recall events.

Rape prosecutions rose to 3,900 in 2015 – up nine per cent since 2014 and the highest number prosecuted in the last decade.

The number of rape convictions reached 1,300 in 2015 – up 11 per cent since 2014 and the highest number in the last decade.

NEW RULES Ms Truss