Rape victims to get specialised legal advice in England and Wales

The government has revealed plans to ensure rape victims receive expert legal support at every stage of the criminal justice process. This initiative aims to shift the focus during trials more firmly onto the alleged perpetrator’s conduct, building on the principles established by Operation Soteria.

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy announced the introduction of a national Independent Legal Advisor (ILA) service designed to empower victims. The service will assist them in understanding their legal rights and help resist unnecessary demands for personal details. Lammy emphasized the need to “rebalance the system to put victims first,” acknowledging that many survivors have endured additional trauma from a justice system that often appears to scrutinize them rather than pursue those accused.

Rape Crisis England & Wales (RCEW) has expressed strong support for these reforms, describing systemic change as both urgent and essential. The organization highlighted how victims frequently face invasive questioning, contributing to the devastating impact of the criminal justice process. Data released by the government reveals that 57% of adult rape investigations between October 2024 and September 2025 were closed before a police decision due to victims withdrawing support. Moreover, 19% of cases were discontinued after a defendant was charged because the victim could no longer or did not want to back the prosecution.

Maxime Rowson, the interim head of Policy and Public Affairs at RCEW, told the BBC that while the reasons victims disengage are not fully understood, common difficulties include intrusive police inquiries, requests for personal information, and court delays. She acknowledged that Operation Soteria has brought some improvements but stressed that courtroom procedures remain problematic. Rowson noted that the new legal advisors could also offer assistance in cases where the Crown Prosecution Service is inclined to discontinue proceedings or when victims’ past behavior is being examined as potential bad character evidence.

Backed by an initial £6 million over two years, this service is slated for launch later this year and aims to provide vital legal guidance for victims throughout investigations and prosecutions. Claire Waxman, Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, acknowledged the pilot scheme’s progress but emphasized survivors still require enhanced support. Since its inception in 2021 and expansion across England and Wales in 2023, Operation Soteria has focused on prioritizing evidence related to suspects’ conduct while reducing victims’ exposure to invasive information requests. Nonetheless, Waxman pointed out that victims continue to face complex legal demands, including searches for mobile phones, therapy notes, and medical records, contributing to a process many have described as deeply stressful and sometimes “brutal.

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