Growing court backlog is failing rape survivors

Recent figures from the Ministry of Justice reveal that more than 1,300 rape cases across the country are waiting to be brought before the Crown Court - evidence of the growing backlog in the Justice system.

In total there are 1,336 cases involving charges of rape waiting to be heard. Of these, 289 are still ongoing more than a year after reaching the courts, and the average case now takes more than 14 months (435 days) from charge to completion.

For each individual that these cases represent, the long wait for justice and closure will be distressing and devastating. On top of that we know that in Surrey, according to figures in the government's own recent end to end Rape Review, just 1% of all rape cases resulted in someone being charged or summoned in 2020.

Even before the pandemic, delays were building up, allowing rapists to walk free. The Conservative Government needs to get hold of this situation and urgently bring in improvements across the criminal justice system to prevent cases from dragging on and also take action to increase conviction rates which are at an appallingly low level.

This situation cannot go on; the Criminal Justice System is failing survivors of sexual violence at all stages of the process.

I have written today to Lisa Townsend, Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey, urging her to use her position to ensure support for rape victims across the county. I have also asked her to advise what action the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey is taking to encourage victims to report offences in the first place, and also improve the process of delivering justice and bring an end to the suffering of those who have already suffered enough.

You can read the full text of my letter to Ms Townsend below.

Zöe Franklin
Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Guildford, Cranleigh and our Villages
31st January 2022

Lisa Townsend
Surrey Police & Crime Commissioner
Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner
Mount Browne
Guildford
GU3 1YJ

31st January 2022

Dear Ms Townsend,

I am writing on behalf of Surrey's Liberal Democrats to express our concern about how the criminal justice system is failing rape victims across the county.

We know that nationally there is a growing court backlog of rape cases with more than 1300 waiting to be brought before the Crown Court. Of these, 289 cases are still ongoing more than a year after reaching the courts, and the average case now takes more than 14 months (435 days) from charge to completion.

Even before the pandemic, these delays were building up, allowing rapists to walk free. The Conservative Government needs to get hold of this situation and urgently bring in improvements across the criminal justice system to prevent cases from dragging on and also take action to increase conviction rates which are at an appallingly low level.

We know that in Surrey, according to figures in the government's own recent end to end Rape Review, just 1% of all rape cases resulted in someone being charged or summoned in 2020.

This situation cannot go on; the Criminal Justice System is failing survivors of sexual violence at all stages of the process.

Will you firstly take this opportunity to reiterate your support for rape victims across the county? Secondly, will you advise what action the OPCC in Surrey is taking to encourage victims to report offences in the first place, but also to improve the process of delivering justice and bring to an end the suffering of those who have already suffered enough.

Yours sincerely,

Zöe Franklin
Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Guildford & Cranleigh