MPs like me are well aware that survivors of childhood sexual abuse face problems with the court and judicial process, and the government needs to make urgent changes. I have worked with almost 400 survivors over the last year to understand these problems so that we can improve the chances of obtaining justice for victims of abuse.

After experiencing the trauma of child sexual abuse, it can take many decades to feel ready to share their experiences and pursue criminal proceedings. However, too many find the court process to be gruelling, confusing and seemingly without end.

The issues begin shortly after a trial date has been announced. Survivors – many of whom are attending a court for the first time – say they are not given appropriate information about what to expect. Frustratingly, many also experience long delays or postponements.

Delays are especially problematic when survivors are mentally prepared to go through the experience, only to see their case pushed back at the last minute. Delays can also have practical implications on survivors’ work and childcare arrangements. They describe difficulties in having to explain to their employer their reasons for time off and, for those who are summonsed to court, there is no statutory right to paid leave.

Survivor after survivor described trying to balance their mental wellbeing, family and work with an overriding sense of responsibility to ensure their abuser is prevented from causing further harm. These are very real and practical issues that matter to survivors when they are pursuing justice.

Inside a Women's Refuge Show all 34 1 /34 Inside a Women's Refuge Inside a Women's Refuge A resident at the refuge looks out into the garden and children's outdoor play area Angela Christofilou Inside a Women's Refuge Mothers try to make the rooms as homely as possible for their children Angela Christofilou Inside a Women's Refuge A mother who is visiting her two daughters who are residents at the refuge after fleeing from domestic violence Angela Christofilou Inside a Women's Refuge Children's books inside the play area of the refuge Angela Christofilou Inside a Women's Refuge The messages on the butterflies are written by women who have stayed at Reigate and Banstead Women's Aid (RBWA) Angela Christofilou Inside a Women's Refuge Residents at the refuge support and empower each other Angela Christofilou Inside a Women's Refuge Charlotte Kneer, a survivor of domestic abuse and CEO of RBWA Angela Christofilou Inside a Women's Refuge Women send a message to future residents Angela Christofilou Inside a Women's Refuge The children who live at the refuge have great fun doing arts and crafts Angela Christofilou Inside a Women's Refuge This photograph was taken by one of the children living at the refuge who loved experimenting with the camera Angela Christofilou Inside a Women's Refuge 'Living with the Dominator' by Pat Craven is a book about the Freedom Programme. It has been designed to help women affected by domestic abuse Angela Christofilou Inside a Women's Refuge A woman sits inside the smoking area Angela Christofilou Inside a Women's Refuge Dolls on the windowsill in the children's indoor play room Angela Christofilou Inside a Women's Refuge Having a refuge space can be life-saving for many women and their children Angela Christofilou Inside a Women's Refuge Over time, women in the refuge make friends and feel more at home Angela Christofilou Inside a Women's Refuge Inside one of the bedrooms. Women can stay at the refuge for up to six months Angela Christofilou Inside a Women's Refuge The kitchen is a communal area were women cook and prepare meals Angela Christofilou Inside a Women's Refuge Charlotte Kneer, CEO of RBWA, in her office Angela Christofilou Inside a Women's Refuge Messages are seen on colourful butterfly cut-outs Angela Christofilou Inside a Women's Refuge A children's indoor play area Angela Christofilou Inside a Women's Refuge A picture painted by an ex-resident Angela Christofilou Inside a Women's Refuge The children spend time in the large garden and playground area Angela Christofilou Inside a Women's Refuge Paintings by ex-residents Angela Christofilou Inside a Women's Refuge Inside one of the bedrooms at the refuge Angela Christofilou Inside a Women's Refuge These butterflies were made by the children at the refuge Angela Christofilou Inside a Women's Refuge The refuge offers clean furnished rooms Angela Christofilou Inside a Women's Refuge Women want to pass on an encouraging message on to future residents of the refuge Angela Christofilou Inside a Women's Refuge A staircase leading up to the rooms Angela Christofilou Inside a Women's Refuge A picture painted by an ex-resident Angela Christofilou Inside a Women's Refuge A highchair inside the main living room Angela Christofilou Inside a Women's Refuge In an outdoor area, one of the rooms is used for counselling and group meetings Angela Christofilou Inside a Women's Refuge RBWA provides safe refuge, support and advice for women and children who have experienced domestic violence Angela Christofilou Inside a Women's Refuge The refuge has a large garden with playground equipment Angela Christofilou Inside a Women's Refuge The children love spending time in the outdoor play area Angela Christofilou

When a trial finally begins, victims of abuse often describe it as a process of re-traumatisation. Many survivors face questions about their sexual history from the defence. Judges should spot a barrister trying to encourage the jury to believe in “rape myths” (that a victim asked for it or was sexually promiscuous), but I’ve been told this rarely happens. Special measures exist, such as giving evidence behind a screen or remotely, however, two in five survivors were not offered this opportunity.

A key objective of the justice system must be to obtain the highest quality evidence for the jury. Just imagine how difficult it must be to sit in the same room as your abuser and describe what they did to you. The government should legislate to give survivors an automatic right to such special measures.

Public confidence in the justice system also relies in part on the knowledge that offenders will receive punishments that are commensurate with their crime. Yet survivors told me time and again that, once their abuser has been found guilty at trial, the sentence handed down was inexplicably lenient. Others argued that they had no voice in their abuser’s parole hearing. This could be addressed by government policymakers talking directly to survivors about the lifelong impact of abuse and giving them an increased presence in parole board hearings.

Survivors also face a litany of issues when applying to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. Surely, after all the evidence-gathering that occurs after a survivor reports abuse to police, the scheme could operate in a streamlined and effective manner whereby the victim consents to information sharing and receives an award based on the evidence heard at court?

Instead, survivors are forced to embark upon a Byzantine process that often ends in failure. The compensation scheme can provide a crutch that enables them to rebuild their lives by taking part in training, education or counselling. So why does the government make it so hard for survivors to claim what is rightfully theirs?

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Indeed, those who themselves obtained criminal convictions while they were being groomed and exploited by their abusers are paradoxically barred from applying for compensation – as are those who are bizarrely perceived to have “consented” to their abuse. The scheme’s rules fail to reflect our understanding of the grooming process; they must be urgently updated.

In recent weeks, we have seen the government make lots of noise about its commitment to law and order. If they are committed to that principle, then the simple and achievable recommendations of my inquiry can make an immediate difference for victims of sexual abuse. Taken together, these steps will improve survivors’ experience of the court process, remove barriers to the provision of good evidence for the jury and restore confidence in the justice system.

Warm words and promised action is not enough. The government now needs to act.