Media Storm presents: Rape off the record - The price of open justice.mp3
Aug 7, 2024
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Delve into the heartbreaking journey of sexual assault survivors as they navigate a legal system stacked against them. Discover the emotional and financial hurdles faced by victims trying to access critical court transcripts. Hear personal stories that highlight the urgent need for judicial reform and victim support. Explore the challenges of victim-blaming in trials and the advocacy for accountability. Join a call for transparency in the justice process, emphasizing the importance of resilience and community engagement.
Victims of rape face overwhelming financial barriers to accessing court transcripts, making judicial transparency and understanding significantly out of reach.
The treatment of victims in trials, including forced absence and degrading cross-examinations, highlights systemic issues that perpetuate trauma and victim blaming.
Deep dives
Barriers to Accessing Court Transcripts
Victims of rape face significant financial barriers when attempting to obtain court transcripts of their trials, which are crucial for understanding the proceedings and seeking closure. The costs for these essential documents can range from thousands to tens of thousands of pounds, leaving many victims unable to afford them. This situation raises serious concerns about judicial transparency, as the high prices prevent victims from accessing records that could clarify decisions made during their cases. Furthermore, the privatization of court transcript services has led to substantial profits for companies at the expense of those seeking justice.
Pressure to Remain Absent from Trials
Victims are often advised by law enforcement and legal authorities not to attend their trials, except during cross-examination, which can leave them feeling disconnected from the process. This practice undermines the victims' ability to understand their cases and hold the judicial system accountable. Many victims report feeling pressured to comply with this advice, believing it may sway jurors' perceptions. Consequently, they miss the opportunity to witness firsthand the defense tactics that often involve humiliating cross-examinations designed to cast doubt on their credibility.
Victim Blaming in Courtrooms
Courtroom dynamics often perpetuate victim blaming, as attorneys can undermine the credibility of victims by dragging personal histories into the proceedings. This has been evidenced in various cases where barristers attempt to diminish a victim's trauma by employing degrading questions and challenging their past. Such treatment reflects broader societal attitudes towards victims of sexual violence and highlights the challenges they face not just in obtaining justice, but in maintaining their dignity throughout the legal process. Victims report that these experiences can exacerbate their trauma, causing long-term emotional distress.
The Call for Open Justice
A campaign for open justice has emerged among victims and advocates pushing for reforms in the legal system to enhance transparency and support survivors. Key demands include the abolition of fees for accessing court transcripts and ensuring that all trials are recorded, including those held in magistrates' courts. The campaign also seeks to prevent officials from advising victims against attending their own trials, emphasizing the importance of personal choice and agency in the healing process. By raising awareness and promoting legislative changes, these advocates aim to empower victims and improve their experience within the justice system.
Media Storm’s first series featured an investigation into ‘Rape justice: ‘What happens to the 98%, when we discovered the fates of the many reported rapes that never make it to trial.
Today, we speak to “the lucky ones,” the 2% of victims who get the chance to go to court. Or do they? They are told to leave the courtroom and miss the bulk of their trial… and then they must pay tens of thousands of pounds to find out what happened inside.
Are government contractors getting rich off victims’ suffering? Or is someone trying to hide something?
This is an investigation into the transparency of the UK’s judiciary, and the treatment of women and victims during rape and sexual assault trials.
Media Storm is hosted by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia). The music is by Samfire (@soundofsamfire).
Links:
Discover the campaign: https://www.openjusticeforall.com
Listen to Media Storm's original investigation ‘Rape Justice: What happens to the 98%' https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s1e3-rape-justice-what-happens-to-the-98-with/id1592553644?i=1000544393437
Support Media Storm investigations on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/MediaStormPodcast