Specialist rape courts to roll out across England and Wales

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced specialist courts for rape and other sexual offences will be introduced across England and Wales over the next two years.

• Burnham said each crown court will gain at least one courtroom dedicated to such cases, with private entrances and waiting rooms for victims.
• Burnham said trials will receive fixed dates from next month, replacing floating lists, and court staff will receive trauma-informed training.
• The measures, expected to cost about £23m, include a rape justice taskforce and a £43m support fund for survivors.
• Rape Crisis England and Wales chief executive Ciara Bergman said the reforms reflect the urgency of ensuring courts properly meet victims' needs.