Specialist courtrooms dedicated to handling cases of rape and other serious sexual offenses are set to be introduced across England and Wales. This initiative, backed by campaigners, aims to create a more supportive environment for survivors, including private entrances, waiting rooms, and facilities to record evidence beforehand. The move is intended to encourage more victims to come forward and ensure they are not retraumatized during legal proceedings. The changes also include remote observation of sentencing, allowing survivors to participate without being physically present in court. Prime Minister Andy Burnham emphasized that victims of rape and serious sexual offenses have long felt let down by the justice system. He noted that prosecution rates for rape remain "shamefully low," with many victims waiting years for their cases to be heard. While welcoming the reforms, Burnham cautioned that focusing solely on prosecution would not be enough. He stressed the need to also prevent such crimes from occurring in the first place. To implement the changes, a multimillion-pound investment is planned to ensure every crown court in England and Wales has at least one specialist courtroom within two years. These courts will prioritize rape and serious sexual offense cases, giving them fixed trial dates rather than placing them on flexible lists that can be delayed. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) announced these plans, highlighting the importance of providing a more efficient and trauma-informed legal process. While the announcement has been welcomed by many, the victims commissioner, Claire Waxman, warned that the backlog of rape and sexual offense cases is now significantly worse than when she first called for specialist courts in 2021. She expressed concern that delays could prevent many victims from accessing the new courtrooms. Additional measures include trauma-informed training for court staff and a pilot program offering victims a single point of contact during the court process. A £43 million fund will also support survivors through counseling and outreach over the next two years.