Operation Soteria, a 2021 initiative which protected rape victims from excessive scrutiny during police investigations, is being expanded into the courtroom, the Ministry of Justice has said
The Lord Chancellor David Lammy announced the launch this week of a national Independent Legal Advisor (ILA) service, helping rape victims challenge unnecessary requests for personal information such as counselling records, medical history or mobile phone data. Lammy has commissioned Professor Katrin Hohl, of City University, to assess where courtroom practice can place disproportionate scrutiny on victims and recommend improvements.
Professor Hohl said: ‘Operation Soteria has transformed the police and Crown Prosecution Service approach to rape cases using the principles of suspect-focused, victim-centred and context-led investigations. This pilot study will examine how we can carry these principles all the way through to the courtroom.’
