The Ched Evan's rape trial saw two witnesses discuss his accusers sexual-history

The cross-examination of the sexual history of the 19-year-old woman involved in the Ched Evan's case has made rape victims 'too scared' to speak out.

Following the allegation that the footballer had raped her in May 2011 judges made a highly unusual decision to let the jury hear from two of her former lovers.

They both gave accounts of the woman's sexual preferences that were similar to the description put forward by Evans at his original trial and he was later cleared.

Since then concerns have been raised that the method of disclosing details of an accusers sexual history is deterring women from reporting attacks.

Harriet Harman MP and Dame Vera Baird QC are calling for a a reform of section 41 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999, which they believe is stopping victim's from reporting sexual assaults.

Section 41 was introduced to protect victims from unfair questioning about their previous sexual history during court proceedings.

Dame Vera Baird QC said: 'We cannot allow rape trials to be inquisitions into the complainant's sex life.

'The fear of a complainant being confronted with evidence relating to sex with other men is, and has always been, a huge deterrent to reporting rape.'

Ms Baird also added that those calling for tighter regulations know that it does not reflect the situation in every courtroom but it should be taken as an opportunity to protect complainants by reviewing the domestic violence and abuse bill.

Dame Vera Baird QC (pictured) said: 'We cannot allow rape trials to be inquisitions into the complainant's sex life

The cross-party campaign calls for stricter rules surrounding cross-examination in rape trials which involves invasive and unfair questioning.

An analysis published last month by the Ministry of Justice and the attorney general's office found that 92% of more than 300 rape cases used no evidence of the complainant's sexual history.

The bar for the need of such evidence in a trial is significantly high according to the review which also suggests the law strikes a balance between protection of privacy and a fair trial.

But research by Ms Baird conducted over 18 months found that in 30 rape trials at Newcastle crown court 11 of the proceedings mentioned previous sexual history, undermining the MoJ's position.

Most of the cases disclosed sexual activity with men other than the defendant, including a trial where the evidence was used to show the accuser was an 'adulteress'.

Harriet Harman MP (pictured) and Dame Vera Baird QC are calling for a a reform of section 41 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999, which they believe is stopping victim's from reporting sexual assaults

Former solicitor general Vera Baird has previously warned that the Ched Evan's case put Britain back 'probably about 30 years' in terms of women being too afraid to speak out.

A review by Dame Laura Cox, a former high court judge, for the Fawcett Society suggested that the section 41 procedure to protect victim's dignity is often ignored.

Harriet Harman said: 'This is not what women should have to put up with and it's not what parliament intended. It's not a fair trial if prejudicial, irrelevant evidence is allowed in.