In 2026, victims have more rights than ever before, yet facing challenges in accessing justice has become increasingly difficult.
Having endured persistent stalking over two decades, I personally understand the frustration of being let down by a system that is supposed to provide protection. This experience has significantly influenced my life and professional journey.
My commitment to advocating for victims’ rights led me to push for significant changes like the enactment of the Victims and Prisoners Act. These crucial victories marked a turning point by officially recognizing and safeguarding victims’ rights through legislation.
Transitioning into my new role as Victims’ Commissioner, I acknowledge that merely having rights on paper is insufficient. While the law may guarantee access to justice and assistance, the actual delivery of justice relies on a functioning court system.
The common expectation is straightforward: you experience a crime, report it, and the system intervenes. A prompt, just, and supportive process is anticipated. However, the reality in 2026 is startlingly different. Being a victim today often means entering a limbo of prolonged waiting, exacerbating anxiety and trauma.
Despite being the central figure in a case, victims frequently find themselves sidelined due to the overwhelming caseload. Months pass without updates, and although support services offer commendable assistance, they cannot replace the absence of a scheduled court appearance.
Encountering trial dates scheduled as far ahead as 2030, victims endure not only the excruciating wait but also the persistent uncertainty, postponed hearings, and the inability to recover from their trauma due to the prolonged legal process.
With the proposed Sentencing Bill aiming to further reduce jail terms, victims facing extensive delays in court proceedings might question whether they, rather than the offenders, are serving a sentence.
Consequently, many victims opt to walk away as the physical and emotional toll of waiting becomes unbearable. The exorbitant price victims pay – years of suspended lives – proves too steep a cost for justice.
As London’s Victims’ Commissioner, I cautioned about the consequences of prolonged underfunding and neglect on the justice system. We are now grappling with the aftermath, with the backlog of cases nearing 80,000 – double the pre-pandemic numbers.
Numerous cases dating back to the previous decade remain unresolved, transforming children into adults and altering lives irreversibly while awaiting their day in court. Without immediate action, forecasts predict a backlog of 125,000 cases by the conclusion of this Parliament, reflecting a substantial failure in fulfilling responsibilities.
The urgency of the situation necessitates a departure from the usual approach. Following an assessment of the court system by Sir Brian Leveson, it is evident that minor adjustments are insufficient to address the deeply flawed system. A fundamental overhaul, rather than temporary fixes, is imperative to effect real change.
In response, the government has proposed radical reforms, including the potential adoption of judge-only trials to circumvent the existing gridlock. While these proposals challenge longstanding practices and will spark intense debates, we must confront the reality that the current court system subjects victims to an endurance test, failing to serve its intended purpose. A system that compels a rape survivor to wait years for justice is fundamentally flawed, with justice existing only in theory.
The status quo is unsustainable, and every delay contributes to a growing queue of cases and more victims abandoning hope, allowing offenders to act with impunity. It is imperative to address this crisis decisively.
In the upcoming months, discussions will revolve around legal precedents and court procedures. My role is to ensure that amidst these critical debates, the voices of victims are not drowned out.
Every proposal will be scrutinized with a singular focus: does it deliver swift and efficient justice for those impacted by crime? The toll this crisis takes on individuals is undeniable. A system that breaks victims on their journey to justice signifies a system failure.
We must stop demanding the impossible from victims and instead implement a system that earns their trust – one that functions effectively in practice, not just in theory.