New right for rape survivors to challenge dropped cases launches in North West

Thursday, 29 January 2026 00:42

By David Murphy

Survivors of rape and serious sexual assault across Rochdale and the wider North West can now challenge decisions to drop their cases before they are finalised, under a newly expanded pilot backed by Rochdale MP Paul Waugh.

The initiative, part of the government's Violence Against Women and Girls strategy, gives victims the right to request an internal review by a second prosecutor before the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirms a decision not to proceed with charges.

The North West becomes one of the first regions in the UK to join the pilot, which was initially trialled in the West Midlands. The move is intended to prevent premature case closures, improve confidence in the justice system, and ensure that victims’ voices are fully considered.

Mr Waugh, Labour and Co-operative MP for Rochdale, said the new measure was “an important step in rebuilding trust” in a system many survivors feel is weighted against them.

“Violence against women and girls is a national emergency. In Rochdale, I’ve met women who plan every journey around risk. That should not be necessary,” he said.

“This right to review puts victims where they belong, at the heart of the system.”

The scheme is designed to address a common gap in the justice process. Under the current system, prosecutors can decide to stop a case if they believe there is no longer a realistic chance of conviction. While victims can ask for a review, this usually happens after the decision has already been made.

The pilot reverses that timeline, giving victims of rape and serious sexual offences the right to request a second opinion before a final ruling.

The announcement follows a series of interventions by Paul Waugh in Parliament, including raising research from the University of Manchester which found 19% of women runners had been followed and 7% had been flashed. He called for better street lighting, visible policing, and reforms in how misogyny is addressed in schools and workplaces.

He has also pressed ministers to improve courtroom protections for rape victims and strengthen the use of evidence from previous domestic abuse incidents.

In December, he highlighted the work of Rochdale’s multi-agency Sunrise team, which supports survivors of grooming, domestic abuse, and sexual violence. He called it an example of how local partnerships can provide effective safeguarding.

“In Rochdale we’ve shown that progress is possible,” Mr Waugh said. “But too many women still feel unheard. This change is about fairness, accountability and basic respect.”

The Victims’ Right to Review pilot will roll out across the North West immediately and is expected to expand to Yorkshire and the Humber and then Wales later in 2025.