Court delays causing "huge distress" to victims and survivors of domestic abuse
We're hearing from IDAS who support people across our region
A domestic violence charity in South and North Yorkshire says it's concerned about the impact lengthy court delays are having on victims and surivors.
CPS figures reveal that the average time from charge to conclusion, in domestic abuse cases, nearly doubled from 2018 to the first six months of 2024.
Data shows that in 2018 it was taking around 85 days, however, in June 2024, it was 165 days.
Carmel Offord is from the Charity IDAS: “Getting yourself ready for that really big day — for it to then arrive and be rescheduled or delayed — it is incredibly distressing.”
“Most victims and survivors who pursue a criminal justice response will do so because they feel a sense of duty, really — to try and keep other people safe.”
“These court delays not only have a detrimental impact on the victim-survivor themselves, but also on the ability of our justice system to hold perpetrators to account.”
What do the Government say?
In response to the court backlogs for domestic violence cases, a Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "The new Government inherited a justice system in crisis, with a record and rising Crown Court backlog.
"These delays have consequences, with justice delayed and denied for far too many victims.
“We have pledged to halve violence against women and girls within a decade, and this includes delivering swifter justice.
"We are funding a record number of sitting days and we have also extended magistrates’ court sentencing powers from six to 12 months, freeing up 2,000 days for the Crown Courts to handle the most serious cases.”