Almost two-thirds of rape victims drop out over trauma of court delays, report finds

The backlog in England and Wales has almost doubled in five years to 73,105 at the end of September last year.

In the report MPs warned the crown courts are unable to keep pace with the inflow of new cases, which is increasing after the recruitment of more than 20,000 police officers and a rise in complex cases.

They highlighted the backlog’s devastating impact on victims of crime and their families, as the prison population on remand awaiting trial hit its highest level in 50 years.

PAC Chair Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown explained that victims of rape and sexual violence are frequently waiting three years for their cases to go to trial.

While in 2024, 59 per cent of victims of adult rape dropped out of the justice system because they could not bear the trauma any longer.

Sir Geoffrey said: “The Government agrees with this committee that ‘justice delayed is justice denied’.

“Our report is a terrible indictment of our criminal justice system and the Government urgently need to reorganise it to aspire to that world-class standard for which the UK used to be renowned.”

He urged the Government to set out a plan of action to start addressing the backlog, building on its existing mitigating measures under the Criminal Justice Action Plan, while it waits for the report on reform from the Leveson Review expected in late spring.

This came as Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed that crown court judges will sit for 110,000 days in the next financial year, an increase of more than 4,000 on the previous 12 months.

Ms Mahmood, who is also the Lord Chancellor, said: “This Government inherited a record and rising courts backlog, with justice delayed and denied for far too many victims.

“Bearing down on that backlog is an essential element of our Plan for Change, bringing offenders to justice to keep our streets safe.

“Funding a record number of sitting days is a critical first step. But there is more that we must and we will do.

“I have asked Sir Brian Leveson to consider radical reforms to deliver the swifter justice that victims deserve.”

The Government also said it would boost court maintenance and building funding from £120m to £148.5m this year.

Courts Minister Sarah Sackman added: “The crumbling state of the courtrooms we inherited illustrate why public confidence in our justice system has ebbed away.

“That is why we’re boosting funding for vital repair work so our courts are, once again, fit for purpose, safe and welcoming places.

“This money will also help ensure we maintain and increase court capacity so more trials and tribunals can take place.”