The Tories have failed to protect women with the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, and two years on from the rape review being announced we still have no answers.

This is why Labour has today unveiled its Survivors’ Support Plan for victims.

Rape and serious sexual assault cases should be fast-tracked through the criminal justice system. Other urgent measures needed to tackle the fact that rape prosecution is at its lowest level on record include offering free and independent legal advice and representation for victims, and appointing a Minister for Survivors of Rape and Sexual Violence.

It has been more than two years since the Government announced its end to end rape review but there has been no action. The crown court backlog now exceeds 56,000 cases, and rape and serious sexual violence victims are being left to wait years for cases to get to trial. 

Labour’s recommendations for the Survivors’ Support Plan for victims include: 

• Fast-tracking rape and serious sexual assault cases through the police, Crown Prosecution Service and the courts
• Establishing a pre and post-trial survivor’s support package, including offering free and independent legal advice and representation for victims and better training for professionals around myths and stereotypes
• Appointing a Minister for Survivors of Rape and Sexual Violence to investigate and tackle the root causes of delays in the system, and act as a champion for victims