The new change will come into effect across the region today
The change will come into effect today(Image: Liverpool Echo)
A new change is to be brought in which will change the way rape and sexual assault survivors across England and Wales have their cases dealt with. The Solicitor General has today, Tuesday January 27, announced a pilot scheme will be extended to the north west following success in the West Midlands having been launched in June last year.
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. While victims can ask for the decision to be reviewed under the Victims’ Right to Review (VRR) scheme, this will not change the outcome.
However, under the pilot, it gives victims of rape or serious sexual abuse the right for their case to be reviewed by a different prosecutor before any final decisions are made, and the chance to continue proceedings remains.
If that prosecutor determines there is enough evidence, the case will continue.
The pilot has been introduced to CPS North West from today and will be followed by CPS Yorkshire and Humberside in early February, and CPS Cyrmu-Wales in April.
Solicitor General Ellie Reeves MP 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.
Solicitor General Ellie Reeves(Image: )
“This government is committed to halving violence against women and girls and following a positive pilot in the West Midlands, I am working with CPS to roll out the victims right to review pilot to three more regions.
“This will increase routes to justice and above all, it will ensure victims are given fairness, dignity and are truly heard.”
The Attorney Solicitor’s office said survivors eligible for the pilot in the West Midlands – including those who did not request a review – gave positive feedback, saying they valued having the opportunity for their case to be reconsidered before a final decision was reached.
The expansion will allow the Crown Prosecution Service to gather further evidence and data on the scheme’s effectiveness before any decision is made on a national rollout.
Siobhan Blake, National CPS Lead for Rape and Serious Sexual Offences, said: “For survivors of rape and sexual offences, the possibility that their abuser may never face justice can be deeply distressing.
“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.
Jade Blue McCrossen-Nethercott(Image: PA)
“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.”
Jade Blue McCrossen-Nethercott campaigned for a change after the CPS dropped her case by offering no evidence in court. A subsequent VRR said the prosecution should have gone ahead but could not be reinstated.
She said: “It’s encouraging to see the VRR pilot expanding further. From lived experience, I know the difference an earlier opportunity for review can make, and the learning from the West Midlands shows this clearly – survivors have said that simply having this option makes a positive difference.
“Adding this right is an important step forward. It helps build confidence in the justice system by giving victims greater control at a critical moment in their case and the chance to get the answers they deserve.
“The phased, evidence-led approach reflects constructive engagement and a genuine willingness to learn from what’s working. I’m proud to see this steady progress and grateful for the openness to change.”