Guidance for rape trial prosecutors could "dramatically reduce protection and rights to privacy" for victims and turn them away from "vital" therapy, campaigners have warned.
They say that the latest Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) advice would increase the "likelihood that rape victims' private therapy notes will be accessed by prosecutors and used to discredit them in court", according to the End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW), Rape Crisis England & Wales and the Centre for Women's Justice.
The campaigners added that this will "deter" many women from seeking support and could "discourage" victims from talking to therapists freely.
The CPS said the material should only be sought when relevant and the latest guidance "seeks to alleviate victim concerns that accessing counselling could damage the prosecution case", adding they should not delay seeking therap...
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