Worrying figures show that hundreds of rape trials have been canceled at the last minute over the past eight years

According to government reports, HUNDREDS of rape trials have been canceled at the last minute over the past eight years.

Since 2015, 436 have been rescheduled a day ahead of their scheduled start.

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The reasons given were a lack of judges, strikes, mistakes and the pandemic.

Some victims, who had waited for years for justice, then withdrew their complaints.

Jayne Butler, chief executive of the charity Rape Crisis, said: “The repeated postponement and rescheduling of cases is devastating to the psychological well-being of victims and survivors.”

Some suffered from panic attacks, marital problems, or had suicidal thoughts.

The Justice Department said it was working to “speed up the proceedings.”

The MoJ said: “As we build trust in the system since commissioning our rape trial, more and more people are coming forward…”

“We have taken direct action to expedite the referral of adult rape cases through the system, while quadrupling funding for vital victim support services.”