Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 12
12
Accepted
Prolonged Crown Court waits, particularly for sex cases, contribute to increased victim attrition.
Conclusion
MoJ acknowledges that long waits in the Crown Court are bad for everyone, including defendants, victims and the system as a whole.25 MoJ noted particular concern for victims of sex cases, which are very complex and often take a long time to conclude.26 In September 2024, there were 11,574 open sexual offence cases in the Crown Court, and 3,291 open adult rape cases.27 MoJ cited data that suggest victim attrition (where a victim withdraws from proceedings) has increased and is particularly high for adult rape cases, with 59% of victims dropping out pre–charge in June
Government Response Summary
The government states that ineffective trials for sexual offences are declining and that judicial practices already prioritise serious sexual offences. It also highlights continued protected funding for VAWG support services and commits to improving victim support, though future actions are contingent on the Spending Review.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: September 2026 2.2 The volume and proportion of trials involving sexual offences that are ineffective is small relative to ineffective trial outcomes in other types of cases. The number of trials involving sexual offences which are ineffective are declining. MoJ agrees that any trial ineffectiveness here is particularly sensitive. MoJ routinely publishes detailed datasets on ineffective trials, including by references to different cohorts of case types as well as by causal reasons behind the ineffectiveness. 2.3 Judicial listing practices already recognise the special status of cases involving serious sexual offences, and judges generally list such trials as fixtures, meaning that hearing dates are more certain. Guidance from the Senior Presiding Judge is that rape and serious sexual offence cases should be listed as fixtures on first listing. This will often require counsel’s availability to be taken into account when dates are fixed, which courts can obtain at Pre-Trial Preparation Hearings where advocates supply dates to which they can commit. 2.4 While listing and case prioritisation is ultimately a matter for the independent judiciary, there is a clear focus on this cohort of especially sensitive cases. MoJ will continue to publish routine data on trial effectiveness as well as supporting the work of the senior judiciary in ensuring that there is priority afforded to this work. 2.5 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented: April 2025 2.6 As part of Spending Review Phase 1 allocations, the MoJ protected funding for Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) support services as much as possible in 2025/26, rolling over the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Fund, as well as ringfenced spending on community-based sexual violence and domestic abuse support. These ringfences were originally established following an increase in demand for support during the Covid-19 pandemic and have continued since. 2.7 Beyond this, MoJ remains committed to improving the support available for victims but cannot pre-empt the outcome of Phase 2 of the Spending Review. MoJ works closely with commissioners and providers who receive funding, including Police and Crime Commissioners who receive most of MoJ’s victim support budget to commission local support services. As part of grant monitoring processes, MoJ is regularly engaging with providers to help improve the support offer for victims.