Rape complainants will be given the opportunity to meet prosecutors ahead of the alleged perpetrator’s trial under a new obligation within an updated Victims' Code, the government announces today.

Prosecuting teams will offer such meetings following a not guilty plea, the Ministry of Justice said. Because rape trials have significantly higher rates of not guilty pleas than trials for other offences, ‘a greater proportion of victims are put through the stress of giving evidence in court’.

Complainants will have the chance to discuss what they can expect in court, better understand the trial process, talk through support measures, have their voice heard and discuss any concerns ahead of the trial.

Lord chancellor Alex Chalk KC said: ‘Going to court as a victim can be daunting and confusing so meetings with the prosecution team will ensure they can have their questions answered and worries erased. Helping rape victims to give their best evidence will ensure we put more of these vile attackers behind bars.’

Director of public prosecutions Max Hill KC said complainants deserved, and rightly expect, to be supported, informed and treated fairly.

‘They are central to our cases and our ability to bring successful prosecutions. This new offer for a meeting between adult victims of rape and other serious sexual offences and a member of the prosecution team complements the service we are developing for all victims through our Victim Transformation Programme. We hope it will help give victims confidence in attending court and highlight the support available to them when giving evidence.’

Welcoming the initiative, attorney general Victoria Prentis KC said: 'Survivors of these crimes have been through enough trauma before the justice process even begins. Having the chance to connect with the prosecution team and ask questions about the court process can make a world of difference to what can be a very daunting experience.'

However, the new obligation is unlikely to come into force until next year. The department said the obligation will be 'cemented' into an updated Victims' Code, whose principles are being placed on a statutory footing through the Victims and Prisoners Bill. The government will consult on the updated code after the bill, which enters committee stage in the House of Commons this week, receives Royal assent. 

 

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