London-Labour MP Preet Kaur Gill has voiced strong support for the UK Government’s new measures aimed at protecting rape victims during criminal trials. Gill said that for far too long, survivors have felt as though they were the ones on trial—subjected to invasive questioning, irrelevant scrutiny of their personal lives, and legal practices that often discouraged them from seeking justice.
Under the reforms announced this week, the Government will limit the use of a victim’s past sexual history in court, ensuring that such information cannot be used to undermine credibility unless it is strictly relevant to the case. The changes also restrict the introduction of so-called “bad character” evidence, a tool that has often been used to discredit victims through unrelated allegations or personal experiences.
Gill emphasised that these legal updates represent a critical step in rebuilding trust in the justice system. Many victims, she noted, withdraw from cases because the courtroom experience becomes retraumatizing—leaving them feeling judged, exposed, and unsupported. By removing these unnecessary barriers, the Government aims to create a fairer, more survivor-centered process.
The reforms come amid growing concern over low conviction rates for sexual offences and widespread reports of victims abandoning cases due to long delays and hostile courtroom treatment. Advocates argue that reducing intrusive lines of questioning will help more survivors stay engaged with the justice process and ensure that trials focus on the accused, not on a victim’s past.
Preet Kaur Gill described the reforms as “long overdue” and reaffirmed Labour’s commitment to strengthening victim protections. She added that every survivor deserves dignity, respect, and a legal process that does not add to their trauma.