Rape prosecutors must meet victims
Prosecutors will be required by law to meet alleged rape victims face to face so they understand their trauma, under a new government Bill. Dominic Raab, the Justice Secretary, wants prosecutors to fully grasp the suffering and impact of the crime on victims before they go to trial. It will be the first time such a legal requirement has been placed on the Crown Prosecution Service and is expected to extend to other serious crimes such as murder and aggravated burglary.
PROSECUTORS will be required by law to meet alleged rape victims face to face so they understand their trauma, under a new government Bill.
Dominic Raab, the Justice Secretary, wants prosecutors to fully grasp the suffering and impact of the crime on victims before they go to trial.
He believes it will give victims a greater say in prosecution decisions, which could reduce their drop-out rate and motivate prosecutors to toughen up charges and speed up justice.
It will be the first time such a legal requirement has been placed on the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and is expected to include other serious crimes such as murder and aggravated burglary.
The Bill, published today, will also give victims statutory rights to challenge decisions not to prosecute, simplify the complaints system and guarantee victims will be informed of the progress of their case from when they report the crime to when the offender will be released from jail.
Mr Raab said: “A third of victims withdraw before a prosecution and justice is often done with them feeling let down. That is not good enough and it’s why we’re introducing a duty on prosecutors to meet victims of the most serious cases like rape before a case comes to court.
“We’re also going to ensure victims know they can challenge decisions and raise complaints so that they get the support they deserve and have the confidence to come forward so that more criminals face justice.
“This accountability is morally the right thing to do, but it will also reinforce victims’ confidence in the system, which is necessary to drive up convictions.”
More than half of alleged rape victims drop out of cases before they come to court, leading to fewer than one in 50 offences resulting in a prosecution.
At present, victims only have a right to be offered a meeting with the CPS following a decision not to charge in specified cases, such as child abuse, although the CPS has the power to veto.
Victims will also get a legal right to ask police and prosecutors to review decisions, including if they drop their case, and they must be told they can challenge such moves. There were just 1,996 review requests in 2019-20, of which 14 per cent led to the decision being overturned.
Police and prosecutors will be required to seek victims’ views at regular points during their case to reduce drop-out rates and ensure they are fully informed on the progress of their case.
They will be held to account by the official watchdogs, including Her Majesty’s chief inspectors of police, prisons and probation, who will be required for the first time to monitor how the criminal justice system deals with victims, and provide action plans for improvements.
Victims will be able to complain directly to the parliamentary ombudsman without first having to go their MP.
The victims’ surcharge – which all criminals have to pay to compensate those they have harmed – will be increased by 20 per cent, adding an extra £20million to the current £39million by 2025. The surcharge can range from £22 for a conditional discharge to £190 for a jail sentence over two years.
Victims will also be given the right to attend Parole Board hearings and to submit questions during the process, including querying an offender’s suitability for release. The Parole Board will be required to consider victims’ views before making a decision in a case.
Mr Raab said: “No victim should feel lost in a faceless system. We’re amplifying victims’ voices, boosting their rights at every stage and making criminals pay more to help victims recover.”