Leading women’s charity Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI) has welcomed the Prime Minister’s plans to roll out specialist rape and serious sexual offence courtrooms, describing it as a significant step towards better protecting women and girls.
Under the new approach, rape cases will be prioritised to help reduce delays and uncertainty for survivors, while courts across England and Wales will benefit from specialist upgrades, including private waiting areas and dedicated entrances for victims. Court staff are also expected to receive trauma-informed training.
The announcement comes amid ongoing concerns about the experience of rape survivors in the criminal justice system. More than 69,000 rape offences were recorded by police in England and Wales in the year to June 2024, while many victims continue to face lengthy waits for their cases to be heard in court.
The measures are designed to place victims at the heart of the criminal justice system and improve their experience throughout the court process.
Gillie O’Rourke, President of SIGBI, said:
“We welcome Andy Burnham’s recent announcements and Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones’ commitment to a trauma-informed approach to justice.
“Since publishing our Court Report in 2022, SIGBI has campaigned for court processes that better support victims of domestic abuse and harassment to place survivors at the heart of the justice system.
“It is encouraging to see reforms that reflect many of our recommendations in this area being applied to cases for rape and serious sex offences, including specialist facilities and greater use of technology to support victims throughout the court process.”
SIGBI’s influential ‘Specialist Domestic Violence Courts: How Special Are They?’ court report from 2022 was referenced in Parliament, by Jess Phillips MP, during the launch of Labour’s VAWG Strategy last year.
The report built on work that began in 2017, when SIGBI partnered with criminal justice agencies in Northumbria to observe more than 220 sessions of Specialist Domestic Violence Courts.
The findings, published in 2018, highlighted significant shortcomings in the way victims, most of them women, were treated throughout the court process.
That work provided the foundation to replicate the same initiative in Wiltshire in 2018 and in the Midlands in 2020 and throughout many other areas of England in 2022. It created one of the most comprehensive assessments of Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts in England.
SIGBI’s report set out a series of recommendations aimed at improving victims’ experiences and outcomes, contributing to the growing call for a justice system that prioritises survivors, minimises trauma and removes barriers to accessing justice.
Among the report’s key recommendations were the greater use of technology to support victims, Independent Domestic Violence Advisers (IDVAs) and other relevant professionals to participate virtually in court proceedings (as needed), and enhanced training for court personnel on dealing with domestic abuse cases.
Many of these principles are reflected in the Government’s latest reforms, including plans to allow victims to give evidence remotely and follow proceedings via video link from a separate room.
In addition, SIGBI’s work has extended beyond its recommendations. It’s Tunbridge Wells and District club worked closely with former MP Greg Clark to draft the Protection from Sex‑Based Harassment in Public Bill, introduced in June 2022, with the club’s findings helping shape its provisions.
Although the Bill passed into law, its enactment was delayed. Newly elected MP Mike Martin intervened through Parliamentary Questions and an amendment to push for commencement, which meant the Act formally came into force earlier this year.
In addition, SIGBI clubs in Salisbury and South Wales developed dedicated domestic abuse resource materials, Fresh Thoughts and From Fear to Freedom, to support women navigating the justice system.
The booklets received national recognition from Her Royal Highness Queen Camilla, who praised the initiatives and said she was deeply impressed by each club’s work to raise awareness of abuse and support survivors.
From influencing policy and parliamentary debate to supporting women through the justice system, these projects demonstrate how local action can drive national change.
Through its UN-accredited status, SIGBI continues to champion practical solutions that improve the lives of women and girls. If you would like to support real-world change and be part of this global movement, please get involved here.
