Why are so many rape and sexual assault cases dropped by alleged victims in Britain? – BBC Newsnight

A Newsnight investigation reveals for the first time how many rape and serious sexual assault cases collapse because the alleged victim drops out.

This is after a defendant has been charged and a date for the trial has been set. The trial can then be cancelled and rescheduled, which happens again and again, causing the victim to lose confidence in the system or be unable cope with the mental trauma of a life in limbo while waiting for the case to proceed – so they withdraw.

Newsnight’s figures show more than six cases are discontinued every week, and that it takes an average of almost 5 years for a rape case where a defendant is on bail to go from offence to completion.

UK Editor Sima Kotecha speaks to an alleged rape victim in this exclusive report.

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