The Survivors Trust has welcomed today’s announcement of reforms to establish specialist courts in every Crown Court across the country, calling it a vital step toward ending the long‑standing backlog of cases and improving justice for victims of rape and sexual abuse.

Victims and survivors have already endured trauma that is often described as unspeakable. Yet it is only by speaking openly about the scale and impact of sexual violence that we can seek to end it; a reality underscored by the government’s declaration that this is a national emergency. The Survivors Trust says meaningful accountability is essential to improving disclosure rates, strengthening outcomes, and deterring future offending.

The organisation also praised the decision to end the damaging practice of placing rape and sexual abuse cases on floating lists, which often results in trial dates being moved at short notice, adding further emotional strain and practical difficulty for survivors preparing to attend court.

Fay Maxted OBE, CEO of The Survivors Trust, said: “The levels of rape and sexual abuse in this country are so high that we can no longer arrest our way out of it. Real change requires a shift in culture and in how the criminal justice system responds. Today’s announcement recognises that reality, and we welcome the commitment to specialist courts and specialist training. Survivors deserve a system that sees them, understands them, and is equipped to deliver justice.”

We look forward to working closely with government and partners to ensure these reforms deliver the meaningful, lasting change that survivors across the country deserve.