Mentally ill crime victims 'let down'

Victims of crime with mental health problems are being let down by the criminal justice system, a survey by the charity Mind has revealed.The survey of 179 professionals working in the system - including 35 solicitors - found that more than three-quarters of them believe there is a problem with denial of access to justice for such victims.

Rape, other sexual offences and physical assault are seen as the main problem areas.

More than 70% of respondents said there is a failure to take the complaints seriously and a further 56% felt the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) drops cases on the grounds that the evidence is unreliable.

One-third said cross-examinations in court focuses unfairly on mental health history.Mind is calling for mental health awareness to become a standard part of training for the police, CPS and the courts, stricter grounds for dropping prosecutions, and guidelines for the circumstances in which a person's mental health history can be introduced in court.Mind's chief executive, Judi Clements, said: 'Some of the cases we have heard are obviously shocking and distressing in themselves.

The fact that they may be but the tip of an iceberg should give even more cause for public concern.'

Neil Rose