A SCHEME aimed at making it easier for rape victims to give evidence in courts is being extended to another court in the North East.

The scheme allows victims of rape to prerecord their evidence and cross-examination prior to the trial to reduce the time spent waiting for the process to take place.

It is aimed at making the process less stressful and aimed at helping victims to give their best evidence. 

It has already been rolled out in Durham Crown Court and will now be allowed at Teesside, as well as at York Crown Court.

Read more: Durham Crown Court pilots courtroom protections for rape victims

The Government is also changing its funding model for victim support services to allow charities and other service providers to plan for the future.

Funding is currently confirmed annually. The move to a long-term model – with at least £147 million per year up to 2025 – will help organisations plan and build capacity to help more victims.

The Government also pledged to publish local criminal justice scorecards published for the first time.

Information published will include the time taken for cases to be investigated by the police, for someone to be charged and for the case to be completed at court.

The data can be broken down by local police forces, CPS area as well as Local Criminal Justice Boards.

The scorecards also include information on victim engagement.

Read more: How region's police record gender-motivated crime

Secretary of State for Justice Dominic Raab said: "We want more victims to have the confidence to come forward, so that more criminals can be prosecuted and victims can get the justice they deserve.

"We’re increasing transparency through local scorecards, rolling out pre-recorded cross-examination for rape victims to more Crown Courts, and boosting funding for vital support services to £440 million over the next three years so that victims get the support they need."

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