Hundreds of survivors of sexual violence in London received the free, independent legal advice over the last two and half years thanks to the Mayor of London’s pilot scheme in the capital.
A new independent report[1], led by Dr Olivia Smith, and published today by Loughborough University, highlights the difference it has made to those most in need, helping to navigate their way through the criminal justice system. It found that:
- Survivors felt heard, validated and empowered to make informed decisions about submitting victim right-to-review requests, responding to requests for evidence, claiming compensation and when best to lodge official complaints.
- One-to-one legal advice provided by lawyers involved in the pilot gave survivors clarity when faced with complex situations during legal proceedings, reducing trauma and helping them feel a stronger sense of confidence while navigating the criminal justice system.
- Lawyers involved in the pilot helped complainants distinguish between what was lawful and what could be challenged, allowing them to focus their energy on what mattered most.
During the pilot there has been exceptional demand for the independent, specialist and trauma-informed service - underlining the vital need for survivors to be able to access bespoke one-to-one support throughout the criminal justice process.
The Mayor made a commitment in his manifesto to provide free legal advice to victims of sexual violence following the publication of the London Rape Review* by his previous London Victims Commissioner, which highlighted the poor quality of service survivors of rape and serious sexual offences were receiving.
The action is one part of the Mayor’s strategy to tackle violence against women and girls. Since 2016, the Mayor has overseen record funding - with more than £277m of investment as part of his public health approach to tackling violence against women and girls.
This investment is providing vital specialist services for victims and survivors, catering for minority and under-served communities and offering free legal advice and safe accommodation for victims and their families fleeing abuse. Alongside the work to provide legal advice to survivors, the Mayor is also supporting the Met with record investment to ensure they improve the way they deal with rape and sexual violence. The Met now has the highest detection and charge rate for rape suspects across England and Wales[2].
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Too often our complex legal system leaves women who have survived sexual violence feeling alone and unsupported. That’s why I made a commitment to provide free, independent legal advice for victims and survivors of sexual violence.
“I’m proud to have fulfilled this pledge. Our service has provided hundreds of vulnerable victims the vital legal support they need on their way to getting the justice they deserve. This is just one way we’re tackling violence against women and girls.
“Having led the way with this free, independent service in London, I’m delighted that the government will use our service model to roll out a nationwide legal advice service so that victims and survivors of sexual violence across the UK receive the legal support they need. I will continue to work with the Met and London’s Victims to continue building a safer London for everyone.”
One survivor explained what a huge difference this support made to her: “I was the victim of several separate assaults including rape and physical assaults … I needed support. Looking at a case on your own and fighting the system can be very daunting … It [the legal advice] made me feel empowered … I had someone who could explain everything. The advice I would offer survivors who are struggling with the legal system is that you don’t have to do this alone. If you can get access to legal advice, it will help you a huge amount. I think it will empower you.”
Deputy Mayor for Policing & Crime, Kaya Comer-Schwartz, said: “The Mayor’s sexual violence legal advice pilot has shown the importance of providing free, legal, independent legal advice for survivors who are navigating the criminal justice system which we know can be challenging.
“I’m proud that from City Hall we have led the way in providing a high-quality service that is independent, specialist and trauma-informed and has helped so many women in need of support. I’ve heard first hand from survivors about the challenges they have faced on the path to getting the justice they deserve and I welcome the Government using our model to roll this service out nationally.”
London’s Victims Commissioner, Andrea Simon, said: “This pilot filled a long-standing gap in support for victims in London navigating a lengthy and often overwhelming criminal justice process. For many, that process can feel isolating and impossible to navigate alone, and having someone to turn to for advice is vital.
“I am so pleased that through this pilot victims have received the legal support they need, and that the national roll out will mean consistency in the service available to all victims of rape and serious sexual offences across the country.”
Loughborough University’s Dr Olivia Smith, a Reader in Criminology, said: “The evaluation shows just how powerful free and independent legal advice can be for sexual violence complainants. The pilot gave clients a genuine sense of justice, and they described feeling a 'weight off their shoulders' as they could finally let someone else take up the fight to be heard. In many cases the advice confirmed that police and prosecutors were acting appropriately, but where decisions were challenged there were tangible outcomes, from overly broad evidence requests being withdrawn to cases being reopened and suspects charged.”
Nogah Ofer, Supervising Lawyer for the pilot at Centre for Women’s Justice, said: "Centre for Women’s Justice is proud to have played a key role in the London independent legal advice pilot, which was based on a legal advice model we had developed over many years. We have seen first-hand how much survivors value the legal advice and how their experience of the criminal justice process has improved, as reflected in the evaluation report. Demand exceeded our capacity at the pilot and we look forward to this service being opened up to survivors around the country."
DAC Kevin Southworth, the Met Police VAWG lead, said: “Victims deserve to have confidence in the criminal justice system. Initiatives such as this - when paired with improved victim support, officer training, and enhanced victim communication strategies - are improving trust in policing.
“Increased victim confidence is part of the reason we have been able to more than double the number of arrests and charges for rape and other serious sexual offences in the past year, and our charge rates for rape have more than doubled to become one of the highest in the country. I would urge anyone who has been the victim to get in touch with police – we know the process can be daunting, but you will be listened to and supported.”