“The court process is, quite simply, asking too much of victim-survivors. There is a post code lottery, when it comes to whether they are receiving vital rights – like special measures and information about the progress and outcome of their case.” Katie Kempen, Chief Executive Officer at Victim Support

“Looking back now, I wouldn’t have gone to the police, because it is one of the hardest things you can ever do in your whole life…You can be the world’s strongest person ever in the world, but going to court can break you.” Victim-survivor of sexual violence

It is estimated that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 18 men have been subjected to some form of sexual violence since the age of 16 and that 1 in 6 children have been sexually abused.

The majority of victim-survivors will not report the offence to the police. Of the offences reported to the police, a low proportion result in a charge and reach trial. In the majority of cases that go to trial, victim-survivors will give evidence at court.

This report focuses on the experience of sexual violence victim-survivors where the defendant has been charged and their case has gone through the court process. It focuses on the three main stages of this experience – before, during and after giving evidence – and highlights the main challenges victim-survivors face at each stage. This report also makes recommendations for changes in policy and practice to address these challenges.

Find out more

Read the full report

Download our executive summary

Read our press release

Watch our CEO Katie Kempen, and Sexual Violence Lead Michaela-Clare Addison, outline the report