The decision follows a successful two-and-a-half-year pilot led by London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan. Those using the pilot scheme reported they felt heard, gained confidence and could make informed decisions about legal issues.
Loughborough University’s Dr Olivia Smith, Reader in Criminology, who studied the scheme, said: ‘The pilot gave clients a genuine sense of justice. 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but where decisions were challenged there were tangible outcomes, from overly broad evidence requests being withdrawn to cases being reopened and suspects charged.’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: ‘Demand exceeded our capacity at the pilot and we look forward to this service being opened up to survivors around the country.’
