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The Charity's Mission and Purpose - Registered by the Charity Commission (Charity number 1194627),
Our charity is committed to improving the quality of life for victims of sexual violence.
About Justice is Now
At Justice is Now, we are dedicated to transforming the justice system for survivors of sexual violence. We believe in a future where every survivor is supported, the legal process is compassionate and fair, and the professionals within it are equipped to deliver true justice.
Our work is built on the understanding that the challenges survivors face are complex, extending far beyond the courtroom to impact mental and physical health, family dynamics, and social well-being.
Our Mission
Our mission is to support all those impacted by sexual violence and to drive meaningful, sustainable improvements in the justice system. We achieve this by focusing on three core pillars: Survivor Support, Legal Education, and Legal Reform.
Why Our Work is Urgent
The need for change is critical. Sexual offences are at an all-time high, yet the court process itself is often a source of profound re-traumatisation. Survivors frequently wait years for a trial, only to be met with a system that fails to protect them.
A 2024 report from Victim Support highlights the harrowing reality:
73% of survivors reported being subjected to questions and accusations associated with rape myths during cross-examination.
These questions included accusations of seeking revenge, or scrutiny of their alcohol consumption, what they were wearing, or what they did to "stop" the offence.
Many survivors described the court process as re-traumatising, with some experiencing suicidal thoughts or being diagnosed with PTSD as a direct result.
Half of the cases analysed waited three years or more from reporting to the first court date, with many facing multiple, last-minute adjournments.
This is not justice. It is a systemic failure that retraumatises those who have already endured the unimaginable. Justice is Now exists to fix this.
Our Three-Pillar Approach
We tackle this challenge through three integrated areas of work.
1. Survivor Support
We provide direct, essential support to survivors and their families. We understand that the journey to healing is long and does not follow the court's timetable.
Local Peer Support: Our project offers crucial advocacy support to complainants and their families before they even begin counselling. This helps them navigate the complex systems and take the first steps toward healing on their own terms.
Post-Court Advocacy: We provide practical and emotional support to survivors during the critical period following court proceedings, helping them process the outcome and navigate the next stage of their journey.
2. Legal Education
To change the system, we must educate the professionals within it. We are committed to equipping current and future legal professionals with the knowledge to understand the profound impact of trauma and the damaging effects of myths and stereotypes.
CPD-Accredited Training: Our Moodle course, "Preparing for a career as Criminal Barrister: Serious Sexual Offences," trains the next generation of barristers to approach these cases with sensitivity and skill.
Understanding Offending: We develop resources that shift the focus from a victim's actions to a perpetrator's tactics. As experts note, "If you don’t really understand perpetrators, you’re never going to understand sexual violence."
Data and Observation: We use court observations and data collection to provide real-world insights to students, barristers, and judges.
3. Legal Reform
We advocate for systemic change to create a fairer, more compassionate, and more effective justice system. Real reform requires amplifying survivors' voices and holding the system accountable.
Advocacy Feedback Report: We collect constructive feedback from court observers (such as ISVAs and Victim Support Volunteers) and share it directly with barristers. This vital loop highlights good practice and flags harmful or myth-based questioning, driving immediate improvements.
Research and Advocacy: We push for the full and meaningful implementation of crucial reports, like the Law Commission’s Evidence in Sexual Offence Prosecutions. We are also developing our own research into the impact of rape myth bias within courtrooms.
Our Commitment to Fairness
While our primary focus is supporting complainants, we are deeply committed to fairness and parity for all parties within the justice system.
We recognise the urgent need for better education around consent laws, particularly among young people, to prevent misunderstandings and tragic outcomes. Our goal is to build a balanced system where:
Victims are supported and heard.
Perpetrators are held accountable.
Justice is delivered fairly and without bias.
Join Us
Our work is only possible thanks to the unwavering commitment of our funders, donors, trustees, and volunteers. Your support forms the foundation of our mission to amplify survivors' voices and reshape the justice system.
Together, we can build a future where justice is a reality for every survivor.
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