The UK government has announced plans to establish specialist courts dedicated to handling rape and serious sexual offence cases in England and Wales, marking a significant shift in addressing delays and shortcomings in the criminal justice system. This move responds to longstanding concerns about extensive waiting times and high attrition rates among complainants, the majority of whom are women and girls.
In 2025, rape cases took an average of 424 days from arrival at the crown court to resolution, with pre-trial delays extending this period further. A government-ordered review in 2021 highlighted that the proportion of complainants withdrawing from cases increased from 25% to 43% over five years. Such delays not only inflict further harm on victims but also undermine public safety by allowing perpetrators to remain unpunished and missing opportunities for rehabilitation.
The new specialist courts aim to streamline scheduling by fixing trial dates well in advance, a measure expected to improve the experience for victims. Alongside this, the government is providing increased funding for victim support services and committing to greater continuity of care. These initiatives build on recent legislative changes, including extended sentence review periods under the Victims and Courts Act.
The government’s strategy also includes establishing specialist units within every police force by the end of next year, as part of its broader Violence Against Women and Girls framework. These units will receive dedicated training to handle such cases more effectively. The courts will be given additional time to prepare necessary infrastructure, such as separate waiting areas for victims and facilities enabling remote observation of sentencing hearings.
In recent days, two new taskforces have been created: one to convene experts focused on rape justice, and another, chaired by Women and Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson, to tackle misogynistic attitudes. This dual approach seeks to address both the criminal justice response and the societal drivers behind violence against women and girls.
Despite these commitments, challenges remain. The Crown Prosecution Service’s approach to rape cases continues to face scrutiny amid rising concerns about online sexual offences, including the sharing of illicit images. The government has also criminalized pornography featuring strangulation as part of efforts to make digital spaces safer.
The broader court backlog extends beyond sexual offences. While previous attempts to reduce delays by restricting jury trials have been criticized, expanding the role of magistrates and increasing court hours where feasible could help improve efficiency. Ministers acknowledge the complexity of the issues and the need for coordinated action across government agencies.
With an ambitious timetable set by Prime Minister Andy Burnham and newly allocated resources, the government aims to demonstrate meaningful progress in reducing violence against women and improving justice outcomes. However, past failures and political sensitivities mean that public confidence will depend on tangible results in the coming years.