Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said the bravery shown by women who came forward to report Russell Brand will bring about wider changes to the legal system.
Mr Burnham said he would be “relentless in making whatever improvements we can” to provide more support for victims, including making sure there are rape and serious sexual offence teams in every police force.
Comedian Brand, 51, was convicted last week of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others.
Prime Minister's pledge on rape trials
The Prime Minister has already vowed to look at changing rape trials to encourage more women to come forward.
Speaking at a hospital in Hertfordshire as Brand’s sentencing hearing was under way, the Prime Minister said: “I’ll be honest and say I don’t think you ever can do enough to get the right support in place for victims to give them the confidence to come forward, because we know that still isn’t there in the way that it should be.
Rape teams in every police force
“But I have already taken a decision to make sure there are rape and serious sexual offence teams in every police force by the end of next year.
“It was going to be 2029, I brought it forward, and I kind of lean back on my work as mayor of Greater Manchester in this regard.
“There is so much that needs to be done. We have to bring it forward.
Impact on the legal system
“Obviously today, everybody will be thinking about the women who had the courage to come forward. Their bravery will, I believe, change the system more broadly, and we will be relentless in making whatever improvements we can.
“But there’s no complacency here. There’s a lot more that needs to change.”
