The UK government has announced plans to introduce specialist courtrooms for rape and serious sexual offence cases across England and Wales.
Under the programme, every Crown Court will have at least one specially equipped courtroom within the next two years. The government says the changes will reduce delays and make the court process less distressing for survivors.
The courtrooms will include private entrances and waiting areas to help survivors avoid contact with defendants and their supporters. Facilities will also be provided for victims to record evidence in advance and observe sentencing remotely.
Rape and serious sexual offence trials will receive fixed hearing dates instead of being placed on floating lists, where cases can be postponed at short notice.
Official figures show that rape cases took an average of 424 days to conclude after reaching the Crown Court in 2025. Authorities say prolonged delays have caused some survivors to withdraw before their cases are heard.
Court staff will receive trauma-informed training, while a pilot programme will give victims a single point of contact throughout the court process.
The government is also establishing a Rape Justice Taskforce to address postponed trials, improve coordination across the justice system and challenge misconceptions that may discourage survivors from continuing with cases.
Rape Crisis England and Wales welcomed the measures, describing them as an important step towards making courts more suitable for victims and survivors.
However, campaigners have warned that specialist courtrooms alone may not resolve the wider Crown Court backlog. They say adequate staffing, funding and legal resources will be essential if the programme is to deliver faster justice.
