CPS Required to Make Contact with Adult Rape Victims Before Trial

Sure! Here’s a rewritten version of your content while retaining the HTML tags:

<div data-module="govspeak">

          <div class="call-to-action">
  <ul>
    <li>prosecuting teams will propose face-to-face meetings with victims after a not-guilty plea</li>
    <li>this will assist victims in comprehending the legal process and the available support</li>
    <li>Victims and Prisoners Bill advances to the next phase in Parliament today (19 June 2023)</li>
  </ul>
</div>

<p>This initiative will allow victims to discuss what they can anticipate in court, gain a clearer understanding of the process, and be informed about available support measures, such as appearing via video link. It will also enable victims to voice their concerns and have discussions prior to the trial.</p>

<p>This requirement will be established in an updated Victims’ Code, with principles legislated through the Victims and Prisoners Bill. The bill moves forward in Parliament today.</p>

<p>Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, Alex Chalk KC, remarked:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Attending court as a victim can be overwhelming and perplexing, so meetings with the prosecution team will guarantee that their questions are answered and their anxieties are alleviated.</p>

  <p class="last-child">Empowering rape victims to provide their best evidence will help ensure that we imprison more of these heinous offenders.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Statistics reveal that rape trials see significantly higher levels of not guilty pleas than other crimes, which means a larger percentage of victims endure the anxiety of testifying in court. Fewer than one in five adult rape trials that reach the Crown Court receive a guilty plea, compared to 60% for all other crimes.</p>

<p>Advocacy groups state that many rape survivors find the prospect of testifying in court unsettling, leading some to withdraw support for their cases. By offering expanded support prior to trial, the prosecution team can address any particular concerns or queries victims may have, minimizing the likelihood of them retracting from the process.</p>

<p>This initiative, coupled with the implementation of pre-recorded testimonies and an increased number of Independent Sexual Violence Advisers, will enhance the support victims receive within the justice system, reducing the number of cases that fail to reach trial.</p>

<p>Max Hill KC, the Director of Public Prosecutions, stated:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Victims rightly deserve to be supported, informed, and treated equitably. They are pivotal to our cases and our ability to achieve successful prosecutions.</p>

  <p>This new opportunity for meetings between adult victims of rape and serious sexual offenses and members of the prosecution team complements the services we are establishing for all victims through our Victim Transformation Programme.</p>

  <p class="last-child">We aim for it to instill confidence in victims attending court and to emphasize the assistance available to them during testimony.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Today’s announcement will contribute to a comprehensive consultation on the Victims’ Code following the Royal Assent of the Victims and Prisoners Bill, incorporating feedback received during its progression through Parliament.</p>

<p>Justice Minister, Edward Argar, commented:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>We are determined to ensure that rape victims receive support throughout the criminal justice process and know what to expect when their case is heard in court. This announcement signifies a vital advancement.</p>

  <p class="last-child">Alongside the Victims and Prisoners Bill, our broader reforms will ensure victims receive the necessary support and the confidence to navigate the criminal justice system and seek justice against their attackers.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Victoria Prentis KC, Attorney General, stated:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Survivors have already endured significant trauma before entering the justice system.</p>

  <p class="last-child">Having the opportunity to engage with the prosecution team and pose questions about the court proceedings can greatly enhance what may be a very intimidating experience. Therefore, I endorse this new initiative and hope it encourages more victims to pursue the justice they deserve.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>The Victims and Prisoners Bill enhances the government's broader efforts to improve support for victims.</p>

<p>In addition, the government is revamping the approach to rape investigations to minimize disproportionate scrutiny of victims and their testimonies. Operation Soteria involves collaboration between academics and police forces along with the CPS to analyze the handling of rape cases and create new operational models for nationwide implementation.</p>

<p>The government is also set to more than quadruple funding for victim support services by 2025, compared to 2010, and plans to increase the number of Independent Sexual and Domestic Violence Advisors by over 40% in the next three years, raising the total to more than 1,000.</p>

</div>