TV presenter fronts BBC documentary rape on trial covering court delays
Stacey Dooley has admitted she would not feel confident reporting a rape to the police after witnessing the difficulties faced by victims in the UK’s justice system.
The 38-year-old TV presenter is fronting the new BBC documentary Rape On Trial, which examines the long delays in court cases and the challenges victims of sexual assault endure in seeking justice.
Speaking to radio times, Dooley said:
“If somebody raped me, I don’t think I would go to the police, which is so bleak and such a disappointing realisation … But in terms of what I’ve witnessed, I wouldn’t feel confident.”
Her comments highlight the growing concerns around the handling of rape cases in England and Wales, where delays in the criminal justice system have left victims waiting years for their cases to be heard.
Delays and backlogs in the justice system
Recent figures show that the Crown Court backlog in England and Wales has reached a record high, nearly doubling in five years to 73,105 outstanding cases by September last year.
Earlier this month, a report by the Victims’ Commissioner, Baroness Newlove, revealed that victims of serious crimes—including rape, murder, and robbery—are facing significant delays in accessing justice. The report also highlighted the severe emotional toll on victims, with many struggling with work, mental health, and turning to alcohol, drugs, or self-harm due to the uncertainty.
Dooley’s documentary shines a light on these issues, exploring why so many rape cases never make it to court and why some victims choose not to report their assaults at all.
The bravery of survivors
Dooley also spoke about how some women have found the courage to come forward, referencing the case of France’s Gisele Pelicot. Pelicot, who was drugged and raped by her husband Dominique Pelicot and dozens of other men between 2011 and 2020, waived her right to anonymity to speak at his trial after police uncovered his crimes.
Describing Pelicot as a “powerhouse”, Dooley reflected on the impact of her decision:
“I wonder if even she really understands the magnitude of what she’s done for other women.”
She emphasised that the bravery required to report rape or sexual assault is “unbelievable” because it is one of the few crimes where the victim’s credibility is immediately questioned.
Police response to rape investigations
Chief Constable Sarah Crew, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) lead for rape and sexual offences, acknowledged that the justice system must do more to support victims. She said:
“The effective investigation and prosecution of rape is one of the most important challenges facing the criminal justice system.”
Crew highlighted that all 43 police forces in England and Wales have signed up to Operation Soteria, an initiative aimed at transforming the way rape and sexual offence cases are investigated.
“We are facing this directly, transparently and uncompromisingly. This process is not easy, but it is vital.”
She urged victims of rape and sexual assault to come forward, promising they would be “treated sensitively” and with “respect and empathy”.
However, the latest Crime Survey for England and Wales suggests that fewer than one in six victims of rape or assault by penetration report the crime to police. Crew hopes that Operation Soteria will help close this gap and encourage more survivors to pursue justice.
“Policing cannot do this alone. We are working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service and across the criminal justice system to ensure that every agency plays their part in tackling this horrific crime.”
Dooley’s other projects
Alongside Rape On Trial, Dooley is also working on Meet The Shoplifters, a documentary examining the rise in retail theft across the UK.
She admitted that, as a teenager, she had shoplifted and “perhaps tried to justify it in some way”. However, looking back, she now struggles to understand her actions.
Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that police recorded nearly half a million shoplifting offences in England and Wales in the year to September 2024—the highest level since records began in 2003.
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Future documentary projects
Dooley is set to release another documentary, Growing Up Gypsy, which will explore the lives of young women in the traveller community.
The award-winning journalist has previously presented hard-hitting documentaries such as Stacey Meets The IS Brides, Locked Up With The Lifers, and Stalkers.
In addition to her investigative work, Dooley made her stage debut last year in 2:22 A Ghost Story. She also won Strictly Come Dancing in 2018, where she partnered with professional dancer Kevin Clifton, with whom she now shares a child.
The ongoing fight for justice
As Rape On Trial prepares to air, Dooley hopes the documentary will spark further discussions about the barriers faced by sexual assault survivors and push for reforms in the justice system.
The programme is expected to shed light on the struggles victims face and question whether the legal system is doing enough to support those seeking justice.
Rape On Trial airs on BBC One later this month.
