Victims of sexual abuse claim free court transcription system was ‘hidden’ from them for months

Receive the free Morning Headlines email for news from our journalists around the world.

Sign up for our free Morning Headlines email

Victims of sexual abuse believe they could have been saved from months of suffering after claiming a government scheme giving them free access to court transcripts was “hidden” from them for months.

After months of campaigning, a 12-month pilot project was launched in May to allow “thousands” of victims of sexual violence and rape to obtain usually expensive transcripts of judges’ remarks free of charge.

However, activists and those eligible for the program say they were left in the dark about its opening until just a few weeks ago, leaving many without vital closure for months.

One of those eligible for the scheme, who spoke as Jane, said she had “no idea” the scheme had been opened until she was informed about it by campaigners on social networks in September.

She raised concerns that she might never have known she could get the transcript – which she said “will get her through the darkest days” – because the government has not spoken openly about this project.

“I really feel like I wasted time and really, if I had had these sentencing remarks six months ago, it would have been huge for me,” she said. The Independent. “Twitter (now called X) should not have been the way I found out about this. I have been through some very dark days and this transcript will greatly help me get through them.

Jane’s attacker was sentenced to 12 years in prison in August 2022 after being convicted of rape, coercion and control, voyeurism and witness intimidation during their 10-year relationship.

She asked for a copy of the judge’s sentencing remarks because hearing them in court made her feel “validated” and like someone had “finally” believed her story.

“Listening to someone else talk about how devastating the abuse I had suffered was to my healing journey,” she said. “It was the best I had felt in 10 years and hearing a powerful woman acknowledge how difficult my life had been made me feel more empowered.”

She added: “But we very quickly forget what was said. The feeling persisted but I couldn’t remember the words. Every time I had difficulty, I tried to remember it, but I just couldn’t remember it.

“When I saw just a few weeks ago that I could get a free transcript of these sessions, I knew right away that it would help me on my healing journey and help me feel strong and courageous .

“I don’t understand why the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) isn’t shouting about this. It would give survivors like me a feeling of power.

“If I could have looked back at these notes every time I felt like I was drowning over the past few months, it could have really helped me deal with the trauma and psychological scars it left me with .”

The Ministry of Justice said it announced the launch of the program last December, but admitted that promotion of the pilot was affected during the general election, with departments unable to provide proactive media to ensure the neutrality of the public service.

He added that since the election he had shared details of the pilot project with more than 50 supporting organizations.

This program will allow victims of sexual violence or rape to obtain from sentencing judges the comments made in court if their perpetrator has been found guilty.

A campaign calling for the creation of this system was launched as victims previously had to pay large sums of money to obtain transcripts.

The co-founder of the Open Justice for All campaign, who wanted to be known only as Charlotte, said campaigners felt the pilot was “hidden” from them and expressed disappointment that thousands of eligible people had needlessly spent months without transcripts.

“They started the pilot in May and didn’t tell us – that’s almost half of the pilot gone,” she said.

“Going through the justice system itself is re-traumatizing for victims, so having the government hide something that can give you answers, insight and help you heal feels like another kick in the teeth.

“This is another example of incompetence. You (the Department of Justice) are doing something to help survivors – why aren’t you shouting about it?

Victims of rape or sexual offenses where the perpetrator has been convicted by a Crown Court judge can now apply to receive the free written record.

Charlotte added that while the project marks “a step in the right direction, there is still a lot to do, because this pilot project is far too small”.

The Open Justice for All campaign continues to call for access to free court transcripts for all victims, including judges’ summaries, and for the Ministry of Justice to begin recording magistrates’ court proceedings and access to transcripts of cases heard.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “In December the government announced a one-year pilot to allow victims of rape and other serious sexual offenses to request a free copy of the judge’s remarks on sentencing in the Crown Court.

“Since the general election we have provided information about the pilot and how people can access it to a wide range of victim groups and support organisations, and we are now considering what we can do else to raise awareness. »