Expansion of pilot scheme strengthening survivors’ right to meaningfully challenge CPS decisions

08 July 2026

Currently, when the CPS decide to “offer no evidence” in a criminal case, it is subsequently closed and cannot be reopened - even if a Victims Right to Review (VRR) process later finds that the case should not have been dropped.

RCEW comments on drug-facilitated rape and abuse on online networks

07 July 2026

Rape Crisis England & Wales welcome the NCA’s announcement of a coordinated police crackdown targeting the men using these forums. This recognises the scale and seriousness of what is happening and the urgent need to tackle it.

Survey: Sexual violence survivors’ experiences of barristers at trial

30 June 2026

Rape Crisis England & Wales (RCEW) are researching the experiences of sexual violence survivors in criminal trials; specifically their experience of barristers - both prosecution and defence barristers.

RCEW comments on the World Cup

25 June 2026

The public's perception of what is acceptable or to be aspired to can be profoundly influenced by the conduct of their heroes and heroines, and this in turn has an impact on how confident survivors feel in institutions' willingness to take reports seriously, and to hold perpetrators to account for their behaviour - no matter how good an athlete or sportsman they may be.

RCEW comments on Rape Gang Inquiry Report

19 June 2026

At Rape Crisis England & Wales, we believe that any discussion of sexual violence must keep victims and survivors at its centre, ensuring their experiences are treated with dignity, accuracy, and care.

RCEW welcomes Police decision to reinvestigate closed “grooming gangs” cases

17 June 2026

RCEW comments on the National Crime Agency's update about their review of previously closed cases into group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse.

RCEW celebrates an extraordinary milestone

29 May 2026

All 36 of our member centres provide life-changing specialist support in their communities every day, which makes this shared achievement even more significant.

ASA rules against self-swab "rape kits"

20 May 2026

Today, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has issued a ruling against a company marketing self-swab "rape kits", following a complaint made to them.

Our statement on the online 'rape academy'

21 April 2026

CNN's investigation confirms in the starkest of terms what millions of women already knew - that rape culture is not only still prevalent, but in fact encouraged on platforms such as this.

RCEW's updated statement on self-swab 'rape kits'

30 March 2026

We support the NPCC's position on self-swab "rape kits" and hope that it will now contribute to careful consideration by government, as to any necessary next steps that are needed to protect survivors.

Is our current system delivering justice at all?

19 March 2026

Proposed Reforms to the Courts and Tribunals Bill raise important questions about our justice system – importantly for us, is our current system delivering justice at all?

Misogyny as a hate crime

18 March 2026

In 2020 we submitted evidence to the Law Commission’s review of hate crime legislation, and expressed our view that violence against women and girls would not be better addressed through a hate crime framework, unless several issues within the criminal justice system itself were resolved. Here are our reasons for coming to this view.

Further improvements for sexual violence and abuse survivors navigating the criminal justice system

09 March 2026

We welcome the Ministry of Justice's announcement 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.

Victims’ Code Consultation Sessions: For survivors of sexual violence and abuse

09 March 2026

RCEW will be responding to the Victims' Code Consultation, ensuring that our response is informed by survivors of sexual violence and abuse who have experience of the criminal justice system.

RCEW celebrate campaign wins with the introduction of the Courts and Tribunals Bill

02 March 2026

The government announced in late 2025 that they plan to make major reforms to the criminal courts, including removing the right to jury in some cases. The Courts and Tribunals Bill, if passed, will make these plans a reality.

RCEW welcomes Part 2 of Sir Leveson’s Independent Review of the Criminal Courts

04 February 2026

Rape Crisis England & Wales comments on Sir Leveson's comprehensive review of the Criminal Courts.

HMICFRS accepts the super-complaint on delayed police investigations

29 January 2026

We’re pleased to share that the super-complaint has now been accepted by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) and is now being investigated.

Help us fight for criminal justice for survivors of sexual violence and abuse

26 January 2026

We’re urging supporters to show their solidarity with survivors of sexual violence and abuse, and donate through the Big Give. Every donation you give will be matched, meaning your impact will go twice as far.

Rape Crisis comments on free access to sentencing remarks

20 January 2026

Today’s announcement that judges’ sentencing remarks transcripts will be available for free to all victims in the Crown Court is very welcome. We now urge the government to go further and give survivors of sexual violence abuse free access to sexual offence trial transcripts, not just sentencing remarks.

Our comment on the Angiolini Inquiry Part 2 Report

18 December 2025

Rape Crisis England & Wales (RCEW) welcomes the publication (2.12.2025) of Part Two of Lady Eilish Angiolini’s independent inquiry, which was set up to investigate how an off-duty police officer was able to abduct, rape and murder Sarah Everard.