A scheme which allows victims in rape and sexual assault cases to ask for their cases to be reviewed before a final decision to offer no evidence will be expanded to three more Crown Prosecution Service areas.
The Victims’ Right to Review scheme gives victims of rape or serious sexual abuse the right for their case to be reviewed by a different prosecutor before any final decisions about whether there is a realistic prospect of conviction is made. If that prosecutor determines there is enough evidence, the case will continue.
The pilot was launched in the West Midlands in June last year and following its success will begin with CPS North West in January, CPS Yorkshire and Humberside in early February and CPS Cyrmu-Wales in April.
The government said the move would ‘help to enhance confidence in the justice system by giving victims more control over their case, getting them the answers they deserve and putting perpetrators behind bars’.
Under the current system, criminal cases can be stopped at any point if a prosecutor decides there is no longer a realistic prospect of conviction. The scheme allows victims to ask for their case to be reviewed by another prosecutor before a final decision is made. Those eligible for the pilot in the West Midlands, including those who did not request a review, gave positive feedback about the scheme.
The Crown Prosecution Service will use the expansion to gather further evidence and data on the scheme’s effectiveness before any decision is made on a national rollout.
Solicitor general Ellie Reeves said: ‘Rape and sexual assault are abhorrent, causing long-lasting physical and emotional trauma to victims. Victims who come forward deserve to know that their experiences are being heard.’
She added that the scheme would ‘increase routes to justice and above all, it will ensure victims are given fairness, dignity and are truly heard’.
Siobhan Blake, national CPS lead for rape and serious sexual offences, said: ‘Victims deserve absolute confidence that every decision is made with care and expertise. Our specialist prosecutors usually get it right first time, but when we don’t — and a case that could have continued is stopped — an apology alone can never feel like justice.
‘Victims who have taken part so far have told us that simply having this option makes a positive difference. I’m pleased we are now expanding the pilot so we can gather the evidence we need to understand the full impact and how best to support victims.’
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