Specialist courts for rape and serious sexual offences are to be introduced across England and Wales, the Prime Minister has announced.
At least one courtroom in every Crown Court will be dedicated to handling these cases over the next two years, according to the Government.
Victims will also be given access to private entrances and waiting rooms, with the aim of keeping them separate from defendants.
While victims are already entitled to request these measures, but their availability currently depends on individual courts.
Court staff will receive specialist “trauma-informed training” when dealing with rape and sexual offence cases, while a single point of contact will be allocated to each survivor.
The changes are expected to cost the Ministry of Justice an estimated £23 million.
