OFFICIALS are to begin monitoring North-East rape trials to scrutinise how judges and barristers treat vulnerable victims – the first time the initiative has been tried anywhere in the country – from next week (Monday, December 15).

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird announced the start of the six-month pilot at a regional conference aimed at ending violence against women and girls, held at Ramside Hall Hotel, near Durham, today (Tuesday, December 8).

Concern has been growing over how alleged victims are cross-examined in court and made to feel guilty for wearing revealing clothing or drinking alcohol.

Ms Baird, the former Redcar MP and Labour Solicitor General, said the monitoring would be discreet, but added: “I hope we will be able to say to the public, it really is being done well now and you shouldn’t hesitate in reporting (offences).”

The conference marked a year since the North-East’s three police commissioners, Ms Baird, Durham’s Ron Hogg and Cleveland’s Barry Coppinger, launched the country’s first regional approach to combating violence against women and girls.

The three forces recorded more than 53,500 incidents of domestic violence in the previous year, plus 4,800 violent crimes against women.

Ms Baird said the police were starting to make good steps and vowed: “We will conquer violence against women and girls.”

In Northumbria, police responding to 999 calls are now often accompanied by women’s refuge workers.

Mr Coppinger said Cleveland officers had been given body-mounted cameras, a video link had been set up between the courts and the My Sisters Place domestic violence service and he hoped to create a Cleveland-wide contacts directory for victims.

The force had also secured 33 domestic violence protection orders, he added.

In a video message Mr Hogg, who was unable to attend the conference, said the regionwide approach was historic and should be celebrated.

Recently, the three commissioners criticised Judge George Moorhouse for giving Anthony Bruce, of Chester-le-Street, a 12-month suspended prison sentence for assaulting his wife by biting and throttling her, holding a knife to her throat and shooting her in the toe with a pellet.

The complaint is now with the Judicial Appointments and Conduct Ombudsman.

Other speakers at today’s (Monday, December 8) summit included Durham Police detective superintendent Paul Goundry and Wearside Women in Need director Claire Phillipson.