Police super-complaint submitted in relation to severely delayed police investigations into sexual offences

16 December 2025

The super-complaint, submitted by Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre (CRCC), Centre for Women’s Justice (CWJ), Rape Crisis England & Wales (RCEW) and Bindmans LLP, comes at a time of unprecedented delays and challenges across the criminal justice system, particularly in sexual offences cases.

CEO Ciara Bergman reflects on two years of leadership at RCEW

09 December 2025

Ciara Bergman, CEO of Rape Crisis England & Wales, reflects on her two years of leading the charity.

Reforms to the Criminal Justice System

04 December 2025

Rape Crisis England & Wales believe that change is not only required, but urgent, when it comes to the experiences and treatment of rape and sexual abuse survivors, particularly when it comes to Crown Court backlogs.

‘Bad Experiences, Not Bad Character’ Campaign WIN

03 December 2025

JOINT PRESS RELEASE from End Violence Against Women Coalition, Rape Crisis England & Wales, Imkaan, Centre for Women’s Justice, Rights of Women. The government has announced today (Wednesday 3rd December) that they will be making changes in forthcoming legislation to restrict the use of so-called ‘victim bad character’ evidence.

Our new report finds survivors are retraumatised by the criminal justice system

17 November 2025

Rape Crisis England and Wales (RCEW) have published a new report, Living in Limbo, presenting new data, lived experience, and frontline insight on devastating impact of the Crown Court backlog on victims and survivors of rape and sexual abuse.

Parents who sexually abuse any child will now automatically lose parental rights

10 October 2025

We welcome this new amendment, which at last places survivors' rights above those of their abusers by automatically restricting the parenting responsibility of those who sexually abuse children and commit rape.

Imagine a world without sexual violence

10 October 2025

It's vital that funding for specialist support services is protected and sustained, so that no survivor of sexual violence is left feeling alone, silenced, or without somewhere safe to turn.

Shocking Panaroma documentary sees Met officers dismiss rape survivors

02 October 2025

We are horrified by the behaviours shown in the Panorama programme, which revealed a culture of misogyny, racism and gratuitous violence within the central London police force.

Survivors could see improvement in wait times for court cases

02 October 2025

After sustained pressure from our team, the government has announced extra funding for an additional 1,250 Crown Court sitting days – but this alone won't solve the backlog crisis.

Backlog of sexual offence cases in Crown Court increases 40% in two years

29 September 2025

New Crown Court data published shows that once again, the backlog of cases is at an all-time high and continuing to rise.

Statement on the Independent Review of the Criminal Courts Part 1

09 July 2025

Read our statement welcoming the radical and wide-reaching recommendations to address the crisis in the Crown Court system.

Strangulation in pornography to be made illegal

19 June 2025

We welcome the news that strangulation in pornography is to be made illegal. Read our statement now.

Rape Crisis’ comment on the ‘National Audit on Group-Based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse'

19 June 2025

We're pleased to see the publication of this important audit, and recognises the important contribution of the survivors who spoke out to inform this work. Read our statement now.

Our position on self-swab ‘rape kits’

18 June 2025

Rape Crisis England & Wales are concerned about self-swab ‘rape kits’ being marketed or seen as a way for survivors to seek confirmation that they’ve been assaulted, collect evidence of this, or deter perpetrators.

Survivors of rape and serious sexual assault given the right to have cases reviewed

05 June 2025

A new pilot scheme will enable victims of rape and serious sexual assaults who face their cases being dropped by prosecutors the opportunity to challenge this decision.

Free transcripts of a judge’s sentencing remarks

27 May 2025

Victims of rape and serious sexual offences can now apply for free transcripts of a judge's sentencing remarks, which are made after the verdict.

Government announce a new Victims and Courts Bill

07 May 2025

New Victims and Courts Bill must end the use of harmful legal tactics that silence and discredit survivors of rape and sexual violence