Rape courts pilot in England dismissed as ‘gimmick’ amid low conviction rates

Secret Barrister points out lack of resources and years-long waits for trial, after Dominic Raab announces pilot

The announcement of three specialist courtrooms to prosecute rape cases has been dismissed as a gimmick" that does not address the chronic underfunding of the justice system that led to a fall in convictions.

Crown courts in Newcastle, Leeds and Snaresbrook, London, will take part in a pilot where staff, police and prosecutors working on serious sex offence cases will receive specialist trauma training. The government also said independent sexual violence advisers would be made available to survivors during the pilot.