Refuge responds to Government’s Crown Court reforms

Responding to the Government’s Crown Court reforms, Ellie Butt, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Refuge, said: 

“Court delays are profoundly distressing for survivors of domestic abuse, hindering many from accessing the justice they deserve. Survivors we support at Refuge often say these delays deepen the trauma they have already endured, with many now seeing trial dates set for 2028 and beyond.

“We welcome the Government’s plans to tackle court delays, as well as its recognition of the crucial role that specialist services play in helping survivors navigate the criminal justice process. Attrition rates in domestic abuse cases are incredibly high, often because perpetrators pressure or intimidate survivors into withdrawing from proceedings. Access to specialist support, such as independent domestic violence advisors (IDVAs), is therefore crucial in ensuring survivors can continue pursuing justice.

“The Government’s pledge to introduce multi-year funding for specialist support is a positive step. However, clarity is still needed on how much of this funding is genuinely new investment. Survivors deserve a justice system that is properly resourced and equipped to meet their needs, and long-term, adequate funding will be essential to making that a reality.

“While we support the intention behind the proposed court reforms, the reality is that the justice system has repeatedly fallen short in treating domestic abuse with the seriousness it demands. Many members of the judiciary still lack a thorough understanding of the dynamics of domestic abuse, including coercive control. This can make the court process highly traumatic for survivors, while simultaneously allowing perpetrators to evade accountability.

“To ensure the Government’s court reforms improve outcomes for survivors in the long term, investment in specialist support services must be accompanied by significant improvements in judicial training. If more perpetrators are to be held accountable, judges must be equipped to understand the complexities of domestic abuse. Only then will survivors begin to regain confidence in a justice system that has too often failed them.”