Victims of sex offences in West Midlands region can review charges
A new pilot scheme is being launched in the region this week
Victims of sex offences such as sexual assaults and rapes are being offered the right to challenge prosecutors' decisions to drop their charges.
Currently, the nationwide system says that criminal cases can be stopped should a prosecutor decide there is no real chance of securing a conviction.
But in a new pilot scheme being launched in the West Midlands region this week, victims will now have the chance to dispute this decision by requesting for a second opinion.
If the second prosecutor believes there could be a chance for a conviction, the criminal case would proceed, the Attorney General's Office confirmed.
The entire area covered by the Crown Prosecution Service's West Midlands branch will be included in the pilot scheme - including the West Midlands, Warwickshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Staffordshire.
The scheme will run for six months, with each case looked at individually before the government makes further decisions on whether to roll the scheme out further.
Speaking on the decision, Siobhan Blake, Chief Crown Prosecutor in the West Midlands, said that they are taking care of victims and doing all they can to help get justice.
"This pilot offers greater reassurance for victims. It means that they will be alerted to the prospect of their case being stopped earlier, so that they can ask for a review by a different prosecutor," she said.
"If the original decision is reversed then the case will continue, but even if it can’t, we hope that victims will have more confidence in the process and the earlier scrutiny of our decision making.
"Rape cases are incredibly complex and sensitive. We have specially trained prosecutors who do an excellent job building strong cases. This pilot offers an earlier check and balance which provides extra reassurance for victims."