A woman who took legal action against the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for not prosecuting her alleged rapist due to a claimed rare sleep condition has commended the efforts to prevent similar situations in the future. Jade Blue McCrossen-Nethercott, the survivor, emphasized the importance of empowering survivors to challenge decisions of non-prosecution. Solicitor General Ellie Reeves is set to announce the extension of a project enabling victims of sexual crimes to request a review by a second prosecutor to avoid premature case closures.
In 2020, Jade discovered that her case was dismissed because her attacker’s defense team cited a condition called “sexsomia,” where individuals engage in sexual acts while asleep. The CPS later issued an apology for not pursuing the case further. Reflecting on her experience, Jade emphasized the significance of having an early opportunity to contest legal decisions to ensure justice for survivors.
Following a successful pilot in the West Midlands, where survivors can request a review if a prosecutor deems low chances of conviction, the initiative will expand to the North West, Yorkshire, Humberside, and Wales. Siobhan Blake, National CPS Lead for Rape and Serious Sexual Offences, stressed the importance of ensuring victims have confidence in the prosecution decisions to address the distress caused when cases are prematurely closed.
Jade was awarded £35,000 in a unique compensation ruling in 2024 after reporting her alleged attacker in 2017. The legal proceedings were hindered by expert testimonies on her sleep condition that she had never encountered, marking a challenging period in her life. The expanded pilot now allows a different prosecutor to review the evidence before finalizing a decision, giving hope for continued legal actions.
Solicitor General Reeves reiterated the government’s commitment to combatting violence against women and girls, emphasizing the need to support survivors and enhance trust in the justice system. The feedback from survivors in the West Midlands has been instrumental in driving the expansion of the scheme to provide avenues for justice and bolster faith in the criminal justice process.
The government’s mission to reduce violence against women and girls is at the core of its strategy, with survivor empowerment and justice restoration being key objectives of the expanded review scheme.