Delays to sexual assault court case 'completely destroyed my life'

Recent cases involving serious sexual offences have taken the longest time on record to go through Crown Courts in England and Wales. Exclusive data compiled by the BBC found such cases took an average of nine months to complete in 2021, with huge variations between regions. Criminal barristers say the delays are due to funding cuts and a decision to reduce how many days judges could sit but Justice Secretary Dominic Raab said they were caused by the pandemic. Campaigners have warned the delays can result in victims abandoning the process. Today's Mishal Husain speaks to a 19 year old woman who has spent the last four years, since she reported suffering a sexual assault, seeing its slow progress through the criminal justice system. The BBC's Home Affairs correspondent Dominic Casciani gives analysis on her story and the wider data that has been found. (Image credit: Getty Images)