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Burnham rolls out specialist rape courts across England and Wales to tackle 'shamefully low' prosecution rates

From the Newshound archive · first published 21 September 2026 · last updated 22 September 2026.

Andy Burnham, Prime Minister, whose £23m plan will give rape and serious sexual offence victims private entrances, dedicated waiting rooms and trauma-informed court staff from within two years.
Andy Burnham, Prime Minister, whose £23m plan will give rape and serious sexual offence victims private entrances, dedicated waiting rooms and trauma-informed court staff from within two years.

By 2025, rape cases were spending an average of 424 days in Crown Court before conclusion, while just 2.8% of offences recorded by police ever led to prosecution. Every Crown Court in England and Wales will have at least one dedicated rape and serious sexual offence courtroom within two years, at a cost of £23 million. Victims will get private entrances, waiting rooms, remote evidence facilities, and a single point of contact — with fixed trial dates replacing chaotic floating lists from October.

Labour MP Charlotte Nichols, who waived her anonymity to describe waiting over 1,000 days for her own case to be heard, was credited in the government's announcement.

A new Rape Justice Taskforce will focus on the growing number of rape trials being postponed and address the 19% of Crown Court backlog — some 15,373 cases — linked to sexual offences.

Rape Crisis England and Wales chief executive Ciara Bergman called the plans 'a significant step forward' reflecting reforms the charity had requested for years.

MoreBBC News - UKSpecialist courts for rape cases to be rolled out in England and WalesLBCSpecialist rape courts to 'put victims and survivors back at the heart of the justice system' minister insistsTVC NewsUK to Roll Out Specialist Rape Courts Across England, Wales - TVC NewsThe Law Society GazetteSpecialist rape courts to roll out across England and Wales - The Law Society Gazette
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