Report reveals court delays increase victims’ distress, leading to self-harm and suicidal thoughts due to prolonged wait for justice.
A report looked at court delay impacts. It surveyed 145 victims. These victims survived rape, murder, or robbery. Almost half had trial dates moved. One quarter had four or more changes.
Many did not get reasons for changes. Court backlogs are high in England and Wales. They doubled in five years. Over 73,000 cases were waiting in late 2023.
Baroness Newlove spoke about victims. She said delays harm victims. She wants emergency funds for support. She says victims might give up entirely.
The report found victims struggle to cope. Postponements led to self-harm. Some had suicidal thoughts. One victim overdosed after the fourth delay.
Others used drugs and alcohol to handle the stress. One victim became alcohol-dependent. He worried about his recovery. Another lost five years because of court.
The report went to Sir Brian Leveson, who is doing a review of criminal courts that will be out this spring. Newlove thinks justice feels far away and that delays worsen trauma. Victims’ lives are on hold.
Richard Atkinson wants support funding. He said delays hurt the justice system, lower victim confidence, and cause evidence quality to go down. Victims may abandon cases.
Katie Kempen said delays cause suffering and deny victims justice. Support services feel more pressure. She urged increased funding.
Julia Dwyer said trial dates go to 2026. She feels delays worsen mental health and that women feel let down by the system. Some give up hope.
The Ministry of Justice responded. They said they inherited a backlog, want faster justice for victims, funded more court time, and want long-term reform.