Top Prosecutor Highlights Unprecedented Delays in Criminal Justice System and Pledges Support for Victims
Delays in the criminal justice system are “probably worse than I’ve ever known them to be,” said Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson, as he unveiled plans to tackle victim attrition and improve support for those navigating lengthy legal proceedings.
Since taking on the role, Mr. Parkinson has prioritized reducing delays and enhancing the experience of victims. On Thursday, he outlined new initiatives aimed at addressing the high rate of victim withdrawals from prosecutions, which he attributed partly to unacceptable waiting times.
Unacceptable Delays and Their Impact
Victims are now facing waits of up to five years for their cases to reach trial, with court listings reportedly stretching into 2027. On average, it takes nearly two years for a rape case to conclude from the time it is reported to police.
Mr. Parkinson described the delays as a significant contributor to victims withdrawing their support for prosecutions. Between March and May this year, around 20% of adult rape cases with charges filed were discontinued because the victim no longer supported the case.
He warned that delays not only prolong victims’ suffering but also embolden some suspects, who may exploit the backlog in hopes that cases will collapse.
“The reality for many victims is that they cannot move on with their lives while their cases remain unresolved,” he said. “We need to do better as a system.”
Victim-Centric Reforms
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has initiated reforms aimed at better communication with victims and reducing their distress throughout the process. Key measures include:
- Improved Communication: Prosecutors are being trained to provide clearer, more empathetic information. Letters have been redesigned to ensure victims are not distressed by inadvertently learning the identity of their attacker for the first time.
- Proactive Contact: Pilots are underway to increase contact with victims when decisions are made, such as charging, rather than only when charges are altered or dropped.
- Victim Liaison Officers (VLOs): Forty VLOs have been hired nationwide to act as a single point of contact for victims of rape and serious sexual offences. They provide guidance, arrange meetings with prosecutors, and help victims access support.
- Sensitive Training: CPS staff specializing in serious sexual offences have undergone training to handle sensitive conversations and dispel myths about consent.
Mixed Progress in Prosecution Rates
While the CPS has made strides in increasing prosecutions for rape and serious sexual offences—more than doubling numbers since 2020—victim attrition has also risen. In the first quarter of the current financial year, 62 prosecutions were halted due to victims withdrawing support, five times the quarterly average in 2020.
Lessons from Past Mistakes
Mr. Parkinson acknowledged past shortcomings in the CPS’s interactions with victims, citing criticism from the families of Nottingham attacker Valdo Calocane’s victims.
“We used the wrong language,” he admitted, adding that guidance to prosecutors has since been updated. He expressed confidence in the new measures but stressed the need for continuous evaluation and feedback from victims.
Looking Forward
The criminal justice system faces mounting pressure, with caseloads up 85% compared to pre-pandemic levels and expected to rise by another 10% next year. Mr. Parkinson believes the reforms will not only improve victim confidence but also reduce the rate of withdrawals.
“This is just the beginning,” he said. “We hope these changes will ensure victims feel supported and, ultimately, that justice is delivered more efficiently.”