Petition · Ministry of Justice
Review court system to address trial delays for rape and sexual abuse
Closed
368 signatures
What the petition asks
We want the Government to review the court system in order to better prioritise and protect victims of rape and sexual abuse by preventing postponements of trial start dates. Victims can be left in limbo for months or years, which can cause further trauma and deny timely justice.
Evidence from the Victims Commissioner shows that in July to September 2023, 21% of adult rape cases were rearranged on the day of trial.
Timeline
| 6 Oct 2025 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 6 Apr 2026 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
368
Status
Closed
Department
Ministry of Justice
Opened
6 Oct 2025
Closed
6 Apr 2026
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 5 Aug 2026.