Rape Trial

Sky News and ITV1 reported that the Prime Minister had indicated he would examine changes to how rape trials are handled, with the aim of encouraging more women to come forward and preventing complainants from feeling as though they are the ones on trial. Both channels linked the comments to the Russell Brand case. Sky News reported that Met Police Commissioner Mark Rowley criticised Brand's defence lawyer for asking why women did not scream or try to flee, saying the questioning came close to victim blaming. ITV1 reported that Rowley warned that some of what was heard in the Brand case came close to victim blaming and said this needed to change.

Sky News reported that Victims Commissioner Claire Waxman called for a legal change so judges would consistently direct juries that rape myths, including expectations of immediate complaint or physical resistance, should not be held against complainants. Sky News said Rowley agreed, and that Andy Burnham, in comments to Times Radio, said he would look closely at the proposals and could not rule out legal change. ITV1 reported that a barrister disagreed, saying judges already give firm directions to juries about stereotypes and myths and that no change was needed. ITV1 also reported that Brand had been convicted of rape and sexual assault that week and was due to be sentenced on Monday.

Sky News placed the debate alongside wider concerns about court delays and conviction rates, reporting that more than 15,000 rape cases were in the backlog, that 2.8 percent of recorded rape offences led to a successful prosecution, and that an estimated one in six rapes were reported to police. It also reported a debate over Andy Burnham's decision to cancel Keir Starmer's plans to restrict jury trials, which had been proposed to speed up cases.