Giving Victims a Greater Voice – Why the CPS Review Pilot Matters for Survivors of Rape
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has announced the national rollout of an important pilot that gives victims of rape and serious sexual offences the opportunity to request an independent review before a prosecution is formally stopped.
Previously, if the CPS decided to offer no evidence and discontinue a prosecution, survivors could ask for a review afterwards. However, even if that review found the original decision was wrong, the case often could not be reinstated.
The new pilot changes that.
Survivors can now ask for a second prosecutor to review the decision before the prosecution is brought to an end, meaning cases can continue where the original decision is overturned. Following positive results, the scheme is now being rolled out across England and Wales.
For many, this is more than a procedural change, it is about fairness, confidence and ensuring that significant decisions receive the scrutiny they deserve.
Why Does This Matter?
The criminal justice process can already be long, complex and emotionally exhausting for victims of rape and serious sexual offences and making the decision to report can take months, or years. Many survivors describe the investigation itself as deeply challenging, requiring them to repeatedly revisit traumatic experiences. When a prosecution is stopped unexpectedly, it can leave people feeling unheard, powerless and questioning whether justice was ever truly considered.
Providing an opportunity for an independent review before proceedings end recognises the significance of that moment.
It offers reassurance that life-changing decisions should not rest on a single assessment where there is scope for further scrutiny.
Building Confidence in the Justice System
Trust is one of the most important factors in encouraging victims to report abuse.
If survivors believe they will not be listened to, or that their case could be discontinued without meaningful opportunity for challenge, confidence in the system is inevitably affected. This pilot aims to strengthen that confidence by introducing an additional safeguard into the prosecution process.
Whilst not every review will change the outcome, the opportunity for an independent second opinion promotes greater transparency and accountability.
Safeguarding Doesn't End When a Referral Is Made
As safeguarding professionals, we often focus on recognising abuse, responding appropriately and making referrals but safeguarding is also about supporting people through what happens next.
Survivors frequently tell us that their experience of professionals can have just as much impact as the legal outcome itself.
Feeling believed.
Being kept informed.
Having decisions explained.
Being treated with dignity.
These principles remain essential throughout every stage of the criminal justice process.
What Can Organisations Learn?
Although this change relates specifically to CPS prosecutions, there are wider lessons for all organisations.
When someone raises a safeguarding concern, organisations should ask themselves:
Do people understand how decisions are made?
Are decisions open to appropriate review or challenge?
Do individuals feel listened to throughout the process?
Are we transparent when difficult decisions are reached?
Do we communicate compassionately and clearly?
Creating opportunities for review is not about undermining professional judgement, it is about strengthening confidence, improving accountability and ensuring fairness.
Looking Ahead
The rollout of this pilot represents another step towards a more victim-centred justice system. No reform can remove the trauma experienced by survivors of rape and serious sexual offences. However, ensuring that significant prosecution decisions receive an independent review before proceedings end has the potential to improve confidence, strengthen accountability and, in some cases, allow justice to continue.
For safeguarding professionals, it also serves as an important reminder. People are far more likely to come forward when they believe their voice will genuinely be heard.
How RLB Safeguarding Can Help
At RLB, we support organisations to build trauma-informed safeguarding cultures where people feel safe to disclose concerns, professionals respond with confidence, and decision-making is transparent, accountable and centred on the individual.
Through accredited training, safeguarding supervision and consultancy, we help organisations strengthen both safeguarding practice and the experience of those they support.
Resources
Read the Press Release here