Ellie Reeves responds to reports that the government will allow rape victims to give evidence on video before trial

Shadow Solicitor General Ellie Reeves MP, responding to reports that the government will allow rape victims to give evidence on video before trial, as called for by Labour in its Survivors’ Support Plan, said:

“It is welcome to see the Government are finally implementing what Labour have long been calling for.

“Under the Tories rape prosecutions are at their lowest level on record.

“Many survivors feel the system is working against them, not for them. That is why Labour called for the fast tracking of rape cases through our courts, CPS and police in our Survivors’ Support Plan and in our Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Green Paper that Labour published today.

“We now need to look at the detail of what the Justice Secretary is doing to ensure that all survivors can benefit from giving their evidence as soon as possible”

ENDS

Notes to editors

• Buckland has announced that rape victims will be allowed to give evidence on video before trial to help improve conviction rates as part of its rape review, which is set to be published next month.
• Victims will be able to record their evidence, including cross examination by lawyers which will then be played to the court, sparing them the trauma of appearing in person .
• Minister hope it will increase guilty pleas by the accused who often hold out for a trial hoping the victim will withdraw. Ministers believe that a perpetrators knowing that their victim has already given evidence in front of a judge would tip more into accepting their guilt.
• The move is part of a review lead by Robert Buckland, the justice secretary to reverse falling rape rates which have falling in the last five years.
• Recent figures also revealed that the proportion of victims dropping prosecutions has doubled from 20 to 40 percent

“Rape and serious sexual assault cases should be fast-tracked through courts, Labour says, The Independent 14 March 2021”

• https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/labour-rape-convictions-court-reforms-b1817031.html
• In March 2021 Labour set out its survivors support plan, which set out its recommendations to improve RASSO victims experience of the criminal justice system.
• Labour’s Survivors' Support Plan rape shadow rape review recommendations include

1. Fast-tracking rape and serious sexual assault cases through the police, Crown Prosecution Service and the courts
2. Appointing a Minister for Survivors of Rape and Sexual Violence to investigate and tackle the root causes of delays in the system, and act as a champion for victims
3. Establishing a pre and post-trial survivor’s support package, including a full legal advocacy scheme for victims and better training for professionals around myths and stereotypes

Labour publishes Green Paper as Tories fall short on ending violence against women and girls

• Today, Labour has published a detailed Green Paper on how to end the epidemic of violence against women and girls. Introducing a survivor support package to improve victims’ experience in the courts, including fast tracking rape and sexual violence cases, legal help for victims and better training for professionals to give people the help they need.

https://labour.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Ending-Violence-Against-Women-and-Girls-Green-Paper.pdf