Responding to Part Two of Sir Brian Leveson’s Independent Review of the Criminal Courts, Bo Bottomley, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Refuge, said:
“The impact of backlogs in the criminal courts on survivors of domestic abuse cannot be overstated. As well as hindering survivors’ access to justice, court delays can be deeply traumatic. Some survivors we support at Refuge are now seeing trial dates set for 2028, while others tell us that they have given up hope.
“As Part Two of the Leveson Review rightly highlights, there is an urgent need to tackle inefficiencies across the criminal justice system (CJS) as a whole to help reduce court backlogs. Improved collaboration between the police and Crown Prosecution Service, as recommended in the review, will be vital in improving outcomes for survivors, but measures to improve efficiency must be coupled with sustained funding for specialist support services.
“Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs), in particular, play a vital role in helping survivors navigate the court process. Yet chronic underfunding has created a postcode lottery in access to IDVA support, meaning many survivors are left to navigate trauma and legal complexities alone. This can lead many to drop out of proceedings, leaving them without the justice they deserve. As the Government considers recommendations from the Review, it must remember that without properly resourced support services, the CJS cannot deliver better outcomes for survivors.
“Alongside investment in specialist support, there is a vital need for mandatory, trauma-informed domestic abuse training for professionals throughout the criminal justice system. Too often, survivors are met with inconsistent, or worse, inadequate responses from those who are supposed to protect them. This reflects the widespread lack of understanding of the dynamics and lasting impact of domestic abuse amongst court professionals, including judges and magistrates. This must be addressed through comprehensive, survivor-centred training.
“Court delays can prolong trauma and uncertainty for survivors, but efforts to reduce backlogs must go hand in hand with sustainable funding for support services and mandatory specialist training for court professionals. Reform is urgently needed, but it must be firmly grounded in the safety and wellbeing of survivors, to ensure a future where women and their children feel protected by the justice system.”
