Petition · Ministry of Justice

Create new route to appeal CPS decisions to drop rape or child abuse cases

Open for signatures 1,070 signatures

What the petition asks

We want the Government to create a new and more affordable route for victims and families to appeal a Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decision to drop rape and child abuse cases. This should apply to both current and past cases.
In our view, victims currently have no affordable way to challenge decisions by the Crown Prosecution Service to drop rape or child sexual abuse prosecutions, other than Judicial Review or bringing a private prosecution. We think this places a heavy financial and emotional burden on families and can leave serious cases without independent scrutiny. We believe victims and families should have a clear route to appeal these decisions, including where prosecutions were previously discontinued, to improve accountability and confidence in justice.

Timeline

12 May 2026 Petition opened for signatures

Key facts

Signatures 1,070
Status Open for signatures
Department Ministry of Justice
Opened 12 May 2026

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.