A long-awaited step towards better support within the justice process

The UK government has announced plans to introduce free independent legal advice for victims of rape and serious sexual offences throughout the criminal justice process.

The new Independent Legal Advisor service will provide guidance outside of court, helping victims understand their rights and navigate key decisions during investigations and prosecutions.
This includes support with issues such as:

Understanding victims’ rights within the justice process
Challenging unnecessary requests for personal information
Seeking advice where police or prosecutors decide to take no further action

Advisors are expected to be available from the point a survivor reports an offence to the police, helping people understand their options and rights at an early stage.

The Ministry of Justice says the service will be backed by £6 million over two years, forming part of wider reforms aimed at improving how sexual violence cases are handled.

Alongside this, the government has confirmed an expansion of Operation Soteria, including a pilot extending its principles into the courtroom - an important development given the delays and challenges many survivors face once cases reach trial.

Rape Crisis England & Wales welcomed the announcement, noting that many survivors experience the criminal justice system as a further site of harm, facing intrusive questioning, disproportionate requests for personal data, delays and poor communication.

Calls for independent legal support for survivors have been made by specialist organisations and advocates for many years, including through the Victims’ Commissioner’s London Rape Review.

We were also incredibly proud to see friends and fellow survivor campaigners present at the meeting with the Prime Minister, helping ensure lived experience continues to shape conversations about reform within the justice system.

We were also incredibly proud to see friends and fellow survivor campaigners present at the meeting with the Prime Minister, helping ensure lived experience continues to shape conversations about reform within the justice system.