Victims of rape will no longer face unnecessary and invasive requests from the police to access their therapy notes or other personal records under new legislation.
This will end “expansive fishing expeditions” for information that is often not relevant to the investigation and used to undermine the credibility of the victim, says the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).
An amendment to the Government’s Victims and Prisoners Bill announced this week will set out clearly in law that police officers should only request material that is absolutely necessary and proportionate to ensure that vulnerable victims are not put off seeking vital support.
To ensure police are abiding by the new law, the Government will also publish a new “robust code of conduct” – with forces that fail to abide by the new rules to face consequences, including possible legal action.
The MoJ says the reforms give “greater clarity” to victims and the police about when information can be requested and “provides survivors of the most heinous crimes with the confidence to access therapy earlier without fear notes could be used against them in court”. ...
Similar restrictions for accessing phone information have already been introduced via the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act (2022). Any request has to be necessary and proportionate and where victims do agree to share that information, the majority of forces now have the technology to be able to return their phone to them within 24 hours.
The Victims and Prisoners Bill will also overhaul the parole system by allowing ministers to block the release of the most dangerous offenders including murderers, rapists, and terrorists – putting public protection back as the overriding focus of the parole process.
The Government says it is working to transform the way rape investigations are handled to make sure that all victims have the best support possible throughout the entire process,
https://www.policeprofessional.com/news/end-to-intrusive-fishing-expeditions-of-rape-victims-personal-records/
(We'll believe it when we see it.)