Every rape and sexual assault survivor given a second chance for case | UK | News
All survivors of rape and sexual assault will be given a “second chance” to have their cases reviewed if CPS lawyers decide the cases should be dropped.
Attorney-General Ellie Reeves KC MP has confirmed that the Early Victims’ Right to Review (VRR) scheme will now be rolled out to all CPS Areas in England and Wales, one year after the launch of the pilot scheme in the West Midlands.
He says the nationwide rollout marks the next step in changing how the justice system treats victims of rape and serious sexual offences, giving victims of rape or serious sexual abuse the right to have their cases reviewed by an alternative prosecutor before any final decision. If the prosecutor does not agree with the initial decision, the case will continue.
The national distribution follows feedback from victims, including those who did not ultimately request a review, who said they valued the opportunity to have their cases reconsidered before a final decision is made.
The plan is at the heart of the government’s Violence Against Women and Girls strategy, which promises to halve crime within ten years.
Ms Reeves KC said: “Rape and sexual assault cause devastating, long-lasting damage and every brave victim who comes forward deserves to know their case will be dealt with with dignity.
“Violence against women and girls is my top priority and the early launch of the Victims’ Right to Review is a turning point.
“For the first time, victims of rape and serious sexual offenses across England and Wales will have the opportunity to have their cases examined if they are eligible, giving them a second chance at justice and fact-checking at the most critical point in their cases.”
Siobhan Blake, national CPS lead for rape and serious sexual offenses, said: “For survivors of rape and sexual offenses, the prospect of their abuser never facing justice can be extremely distressing.
Sexomnia case victim Jade Blue McCrossen-Nethercott. (Image:-)
“Victims must have confidence that every decision is made with care and expertise. Our expert prosecutors often make the right decision the first time, but when we fail to do so and a case that could have continued is stopped, apologies alone cannot feel like justice.
Campaigner Jade Blue McCrossen-Nethercott was also involved. She received £35,000 compensation after her rape case was dropped following claims she was suffering from “sexsomnia”.
Ms. McCrossen-Nethercott, 34, contacted the police in 2017 and said that she had been raped while she was sleeping, that she woke up half-naked and that she thought her necklace was broken on the floor.
However, the charges were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) days before the trial was due to begin after lawyers for the alleged perpetrator claimed Jade suffered from sexsomnia, a medically recognized but rare sleep disorder that causes a person to engage in sexual acts while asleep.
Attorney General Ellie Reeves KC (Image: John Myers)
In 2021, she appealed through the CPS victim’s right to review system and received a letter of apology from the attorney general, who admitted the CPS was wrong to close her case and said the case should go to trial.
He said: “For many victims, the decision to end a case can feel final, leaving unanswered questions and little opportunity to challenge the outcome. My own experience has shown me how devastating it can be when a review arrives too late to make a difference, even if errors are identified later.”
The CPS deals with thousands of rape cases every year, charging 4,636 suspects in cases flagged as rape between 2024 and 2025. The national practice only applies to victims of rape and serious sexual offences. If victims are eligible, they will be notified.
Victims Commissioner Claire Waxman OBE said: “Expanding this across the country means fewer victims of rape and sexual offenses will be unfairly denied justice and they will have the opportunity to appeal the decision before it is final.”
