Government establishes specialist courts for rape cases across England and Wales

The UK government has announced that every Crown Court in England and Wales will have a dedicated courtroom for rape and serious sexual assault cases within two years. These specialist courtrooms are designed to help victims feel safer and to process cases more quickly. Victims will have access to private entrances and separate waiting rooms, so they do not have to meet defendants in shared spaces. The plan was part of Labour's 2024 election promises to better protect women and girls. Three pilot courts have already opened in Leeds, Newcastle, and London. Currently, only around one percent of reported rape cases end in a conviction, and victims wait over ten months on average before police charge a suspect.