Closed petition: Ban the use of therapy notes of rape survivors in court proceedings

Closed on 10 March 2026

We’re calling for urgent reforms in the criminal justice process for rape survivors especially in the period after victims give video-recorded evidence. We feel that survivors should be able to access therapy without fear it'll be used against them in court. Justice processes must be trauma-informed

Right now, victims are asked to give a full video-recorded statement early in the investigation (known as an ABE interview). But after that, many are left waiting for months while the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decides whether to bring charges. During this time, survivors can be told that therapy notes could be used in court, which we feel could leave them without proper mental health support. We believe it is the Government’s duty to make sure victims of crimes as horrific as these have the correct support in place.