BPS welcomes additional protections to protect rape survivors’ counselling notes from use in court
The BPS is pleased that the government has accepted an amendment to the Victims and Prisoners Bill that will raise the legal threshold for when rape survivors’ counselling notes can be requested by the police.
23 April 2024
Responding to the announcement, which means the police must be satisfied that counselling information is likely to add substantial value to their investigation before they request a survivor's records, Dr Roman Raczka, President-Elect of The British Psychological Society, said:
"We are hugely encouraged by the decision from the government to accept this amendment to the Victims and Prisoners Bill.
"We know that the threat and concern of therapy notes potentially being accessed by the police and used within the courts can often put survivors off seeking vital therapy and accessing the support they need.
"This amendment should ensure that survivors can confidently seek counselling without fear that their therapy notes may end up being used in court. It also enables the vital trust-based relationship between therapist and survivor to be built and maintained."
Blog: Read more about personal records and their place in court during sexual offence trials