Two year wait for rape survivors between reporting offence and start of trial, watchdogs reveals
Police tape near a scene of a suspected crime, as rape victims are being "continually and systematically failed" by the criminal justice system
RAPE survivors face an average wait of nearly two years between reporting an offence and the start of a trial, according to a report which found that victims are being “systematically” failed.
The damning joint report by two government watchdogs, released today, found that one case took 16 years to reach court due to an “apparent lack of evidence,” despite the presence of DNA at the scene.
A lack of collaboration between the police and prosecutors has led to delays and poor communication with victims, the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate found.
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