Prime Minister Announces the Rollout of Rape Courts Across England and Wales as Part of Justice Reforms

Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced on Monday, 21 September, that specialist courtrooms for rape and serious sexual offences will be rolled out across England and Wales over the next two years.

The government says these will prioritise rape and serious sexual offence cases. 'Prosecution rates for rape remain shamefully low, with many victims waiting years for justice,' the Prime Minister stated in the official announcement.

The changes are intended to reduce delays and improve the experience of victims and survivors navigating the criminal justice system. The government promises that rape and sexual offence trials 'will be given a fixed date as opposed to being placed on floating lists where they can be moved at short notice and delayed by many months.'

Each Crown Court will also receive at least one courtroom specially equipped to hear these cases as part of a multi-million-pound investment.

Specific Facilities for Specific Needs

The proposed specialist courtrooms will include facilities specifically designed around the needs of victims of rape and sexual offences. Among these are private entrances and waiting rooms intended to reduce the likelihood of victims encountering defendants or their supporters at court.

The specialist courtrooms will also have facilities equipped to allow evidence to be pre-recorded, while victims will be able to observe sentencing remotely. The government says the measures are intended to provide greater support and reduce difficulties for victims during court proceedings.

The reform will also see court staff across England and Wales receive trauma-informed training to help them handle these cases with greater awareness of victims' needs. Additionally, the government will also trial a system giving victims of sex offences a single point of contact during the court process.

The government will also establish a new Rape Justice Taskforce, bringing together leaders from across the criminal justice system to tackle the rising rate of postponed rape trials and address myths that can contribute to victims withdrawing from their cases.

A Response to the Justice System's Handling

Burnham said the reforms were intended to change how the justice system handles rape and serious sexual offence cases, arguing that victims had waited too long for justice. In 2025, rape cases took an average of 424 days to complete after reaching the Crown Court, according to the government.

The rollout also follows the government's wider efforts at tackling violence against women and girls. Earlier in September, the government announced that all police forces in England and Wales would have dedicated rape and sexual offence investigation teams by the end of 2027.

Rape Crisis Backs Court Changes

Ciara Bergman, chief executive of Rape Crisis England & Wales, described the package as a significant step for the justice system and said it included reforms the organisation had called for over several years.

She particularly highlighted the proposed improvements to trial efficiency and separate waiting areas, entrances and exits for survivors.

The government said the latest measures build on its pledge to halve violence against women and girls over a decade. It has also pledged more than £1 billion to support victims of violence against women and girls since coming into office.

The government has further committed to tackling the wider court backlog through the Courts and Tribunals Bill, which is due to return to Parliament in October.