Rape Crisis England & Wales

Last year, judges sentencing remarks transcripts were made available for free, to survivors in RASSO (rape and serious sexual offences) and families in homicide cases. Victims and survivors of rape don't always feel able to attend sentence hearings, as it can be a distressing and often traumatising experience, with the possibility of encountering a perpetrator, their family and friends.

Not sure if there's a Rape Crisis centre in your local area? Find out which centres are closest to you here.

The following signatories from the sexual violence sector wish to jointly and publicly share our concerns about the sale, promotion and use of self-swab ‘rape kits’ by victims/survivors. As providers of support to victims/survivors, we understand the trauma of rape and sexual assault, and the further distress victims can feel about disclosing and reporting their experiences. Our sector exists to provide the specialist support and expert understanding of rape and sexual assault that survivors need.

The freeze, flop, friend, fight or flight reactions are immediate, automatic and instinctive responses to fear. Understanding them a little might help you make sense of your experiences and feelings. We usually experience fear when we sense we are in danger. When our brains alert our bodies to the presence of danger, our bodies respond automatically.

December 4th marked two years since I took up the role of CEO of Rape Crisis England & Wales.

Following extensive campaigning by RCEW, our member centres and supporters over the last year, the Ministry of Justice yesterday confirmed that they will award offering practical and emotional support to victims and survivors over the next 2 years.

In delivering her Autumn Budget yesterday, the Chancellor reassured us that a better Britain is in reach - one in which we can all look outwards in confidence, and be hopeful for our shared future.

Another Autumn Budget, Another year of uncertainty for VAWG services and victim-survivors Thursday, 27 November 2025 Yesterday’s budget did not mention Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) once – a glaring omission at a time when demand for specialist support is at record levels and victim-survivors have a 60% chance of being turned away from refuge, primarily due to lack of space[1] and the No Recourse to Public Funds condition.

Survivors deserve dignity and respect and to know when they will have their day in court. Victims and survivors of some of rape and sexual abuse are being made to wait years for their cases to reach court, having court dates postponed – often multiple times – and being kept in the dark about important updates. Anyone who is the target of crime will feel the impact of court delays, but the consequences of the backlogs is particularly severe for survivors of sexual abuse and their families.

Our criminal justice system is riddled with such bad delays and last-minute postponements that survivors seeking justice after rape and sexual violence are being forced to end the process – just to protect their mental health. Those that stick with it have told us their experience of the system is worse than the abuse they endured. We're calling on MPs to read our new report, call for urgent change get in touch with us to discuss other ways to improve the system