In light of ongoing concerns about the treatment of survivors Rape Trials in England and Wales
critically examines court responses to rape and sexual assault. Using new data from an in-depth
observational study of rape trials this book asks why attempts to improve survivor experiences
at court have not been fully effective. In doing so Smith identifies deep-rooted barriers to
survivor justice and crucially introduces potential avenues for more effective reform. This
book provides a comprehensive examination of the practicalities of court use of rape myths and
sexual history evidence underlying principles of adversarial justice and the impact of
inequalities embedded within English and Welsh legal culture. This engaging and highly
significant study is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the criminal courts and
their responses to rape including practitioners and students of criminology sociology and
law.
