We are delighted to welcome today’s announcement from the Ministry of Justice regarding further measures aimed at improving the experience of survivors of sexual violence and abuse who choose to pursue a case through the criminal justice system.
Deputy Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor, David Lammy, today announced:
1. An extension of Operation Soteria into the courtroom
Operation Soteria was first launched in 2021 to improve the investigation and prosecution of rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO) cases. The aim was to increase the number of RASSO cases charged by the police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), and deliver sustained improvement in the criminal justice whole system response, by creating a victim-centred and suspect-focussed approach.
Whilst there is still much room for improvement, the early impact of Operation Soteria on the approach to RASSO cases over the past few years cannot be understated. We have seen the introduction of a National Operating Model (NOM) for police forces and the Crown Prosecution Service, which seeks to improve survivor experience and hold perpetrators to account. And the percentage of rape investigations resulting in a charge has risen from 3% in 2020 to 9% in 2024/25.
However, RCEW have long maintained that Operation Soteria, which followed the previous government’s ‘End-to-End Rape Review’, is not truly ‘end-to-end’, focussing only on the front end of the criminal justice system, and neglecting to consider survivor’s experiences once they reach court.
RCEW have made repeated calls for an extension of the principles of Operation Soteria into the courtroom, where survivors of rape and other sexual offences face disproportionate delays and ill treatment, fuelled by pervasive rape myths and misconceptions. Today’s announcement of an Operation Soteria post-charge pilot in London is incredibly welcome.
2. A national Independent Legal Advisor service for rape survivors
Following two successful pilots in Northumbria and London, and repeated calls for a national rollout from RCEW and others, the government have confirmed £6 million funding over 2 years for a national scheme of Independent Legal Advisors for rape survivors. The Independent Legal Advisor service will ‘provide victims with specialist legal advice on issues affecting them during rape investigations and prosecutions, including requests for personal data and evidence disclosure’.
Maxime Rowson, Interim Head of Policy and Public Affairs, said:
“Today is a very proud day for us at RCEW. After years of campaigning and working closely with ministers and officials from successive governments, two of our key policy aims have been achieved. Soon, expert and trusted academics will work to roll out the principles of Operation Soteria into the courts, and survivors of rape will benefit from independent legal advice pertaining to some of the key issues facing them in the criminal justice system.
Every day we speak to survivors of sexual violence and abuse who experience the criminal justice system as a further site of harm. We hear all too often about over-zealous and intrusive questioning about survivors’ private lives during cross-examination, disproportionate requests for their personal data, unfair and inappropriate attacks on their credibility, delays, poor communication, a lack of consideration of their needs – the list goes on. The impact can be devastating.
We know that most survivors will never engage with the criminal justice system. But if we are serious about ending sexual violence, it is crucial that survivors have the option to pursue a criminal justice outcome without retraumatisation. For that to be possible, systemic changes such as those announced today are important and urgent. We look forward to working with the government and partners to ensure the timely and proper implementation of these new measures.”