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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Hannah Summers

UK rape victim left feeling ‘suicidal’ after five-year wait for case to come to trial

United Kingdom Debbie Kirsty Brimelow CPS United States
Barristers strike outside Manchester crown court over legal aid fees.
Barristers strike outside Manchester crown court over legal aid fees. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian

A rape victim who will have been waiting five years by the time her case comes to court has said navigating the justice process has had a worse impact on her mental health than the crime itself, leaving her feeling “suicidal”.

The woman, known as Debbie, recently had her case listed but it was pulled the day before she was due to appear in court. She now faces a further eight-month wait.

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