Sexual abuse victims believe they could have been saved from months of suffering after they claimed a government scheme to allow them access to free court transcripts was "hidden" from them for months.
Following months of campaigning, a 12-month pilot scheme opened in May to allow “thousands” of sexual violence and rape victims to obtain usually expensive transcripts of judges remarks free of charge. However, campaigners and those eligible for the scheme say they were left in the dark about it opening until just weeks ago, leaving many without vital closure for months.
One of those eligible for the scheme, who spoke under the name Jane, said she had “no idea” the scheme had opened until she was notified via campaigners on social media in September. She shared concerns that she may have never known she could obtain the transcript – which she believes “will get her through the darkest days” – as the government was not vocal about the scheme.
“I do feel like I’ve lost time and really if I’d have had these sentencing remarks six months ago it would have been massive for me,” she told The Independent. “Twitter [now called X] shouldn’t have been the way that I found this out. I’ve had some very dark days and this transcript will go a long way in helping me get through them.”
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Tuchel left with big calls to make after Carsley refresh
No pressure, Thomas. Lee Carsley hands over to Thomas Tuchel promising to give England’s next manager a comprehensive debrief on the three autumn camps but perhaps also elevating expectations. Not so much with the results – promotion in the Nations League was anticipated for a team ranked fourth in the world and who reached the final of Euro 2024 – as with his assessment of England’s prospects for the time covered by Tuchel’s 18-month deal.
Wiegman calls up uncapped trio for injury-hit Lionesses
England manager Sarina Wiegman is confident Laura Blindkilde-Brown and Ruby Mace can both make the most of their first senior call-ups to an injury-hit squad.
Wales promoted as Cullen double freezes out Iceland
Wales won Nations League promotion as Liam Cullen’s first two international goals helped them to a 4-1 victory over Iceland.
Retail bosses gifted excuse for when things go wrong
It’s not just British farmers who are hacked off by the latest Budget some of the biggest names in retail have now joined forces to send one of those angry, multi-signature letters to the chancellor, scolding her for the imminent tax hikes coming their way.
Jaguar pounces on new logo
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It's grit over gloss in photo show's eye on the Eighties
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CAFFEINE FIX
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Longing and loss: our era of British cinematic elegance
It is four decades since A Room with a View’ made Merchant Ivory a household name. Sarah Sands recalls a world in which her brother Kit and her then husband Julian were central
