Lawyers banned from calling rape victims serial liars

He said too many rape victims left the criminal justice system feeling like they had been put on trial, with defence barristers using sensitive details of past relationships and abuse to discredit them.

“This has enabled vile rapists to evade the punishment they deserve for far too long,” Mr Lammy said.

“We must rebalance the justice system to serve victims first and foremost, and that starts with the crucial reforms we’re bringing forward today.”

‘Bad character’ evidence

Under new laws, “bad character” evidence related to a victim’s past sexual history or abuse will no longer be allowed, unless lawyers have evidence to suggest a complainant has previously lied.

Previous allegations of rape made by the victim will not be allowed as evidence in favour of the accused unless proven “genuinely valuable,” said the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).
Research by the former Victims’ Commissioner Baroness Newlove found that, in 2024, nearly 60 per cent of all victims believed they could not get justice.

The changes will also make it easier for prosecuting barristers to introduce “bad character” evidence about defendants in domestic abuse cases.

New legislation, expected to be put before Parliament next year, will mean a domestic abuse offence of any type – even if against a different victim – will be admissible in court.

The measures come a day after the Government announced £550m of funding for victim support, which it said would help rape complainants by formalising special measures such as companions for victims, the use of courtroom screens and the court’s power to pre-record evidence.
Rape victims, who are waiting up to four years for a court date in some cases, are abandoning trials in record numbers. Up to 60 per cent now withdraw from prosecutions.