Season One: Rape on Trial

This is the first of two introductory episodes taking us straight to the heart of this season's topic; the investigation and prosecution of rape and serious sexual offences in the criminal justice system in England and Wales.

We're in court for the trial of Tariq who is charged with rape and false imprisonment. It's a case that, according to the mainstream narrative, has little chance of resulting in convictions: one person's word against another's; no forensic evidence; no injuries; delayed report; young, black complainant; a defendant claiming consent and that the allegation was prompted by regret and embarrassment on the complainant's part.

Join me, Dr Candida Saunders, in the public gallery of a Crown Court somewhere in England & Wales to watch real proceedings in a real rape trial. Let's see for ourselves what really happens.

**Listener discretion is advised**

The broader research underpinning this season of Criminal Justice in Action is reported in our book, Doak et al, Cross-examination on Trial: Advocacy and Vulnerability in Criminal Trials (BUP 2025).  The book examines cross-examination across the UK and Ireland drawing on trial observations, practitioner interviews, and a linguistic analysis of courtroom exchanges in light of recent reforms.

https://amzn.to/49oVqG2

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If you or someone you know has been affected by any of the issues raised in this episode, please visit our website https://criminaljusticeinaction.com for information about help and support.

Music: Hopeless Waltz by Alena Smirnova.

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