Jade Blue's Story

In the early hours of a Sunday morning in 2017, Jade Blue woke up to find she was undressed, and felt that she had been raped while she slept, by the man lying next to her. With the support of her best friend, Jade Blue contacted the police and began pursuing justice for what had happened.  

Three years later, in October 2020, days before her trial was meant to start, she was called to a meeting with lawyers from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) who told her they were dropping the case because the man charged with raping her had alleged she suffered from an extremely rare sleep disorder,  which could have made her appear to be awake and consenting, based on unsubstantiated and undetermined evidence from experts who had never met her. The CPS offered no evidence at court and the defendant was acquitted.  

“I don’t see how this can be one isolated incident, that just so happens to be the time that somebody I would never have consented to have sex with had sex with me.”  

Jade Blue sought advice from a private specialist, Dr Irshaad Ebrahim of the London Sleep Centre, who was “very surprised” at the suggestion she suffered from this rare disorder and described the allegations as “exceedingly unusual”. He went on to say Jade’s history “is not typical for someone with sexsomnia.” 

In the face of injustice, Jade Blue requested a review under the Victims Right to Review Scheme.  

“The CPS’s guidance was dense, filled with legal jargon, and overwhelmed me. Rights of Women provided a stark and welcome contrast, making legal concepts understandable and actionable. 

“The detailed information provided by Rights of Women empowered me to understand my rights and navigate the intricacies of the legal system. When I needed to submit a request to review the decision close to my case, their resources were instrumental in helping me meticulously cross the t’s and dot the i’s.  

“This process led to the CPS accepting it had made the wrong decision, highlighting the importance of accessible and independent legal support for individuals seeking justice.  

“Rights of Women’s online legal guides and handbooks, particularly their guide on the victim’s right to review, offer essential information that can empower individuals to navigate their justice journey. Their work highlights the transformative impact of accessible legal guidance in advocating for oneself and navigating the challenging justice system.” 

Access to free, specialist legal support through our criminal law information guides and free advice-line helped Jade to challenge the decision and force the CPS to admit a jury would have been “more likely than not to convict the defendant” and that they were wrong to not take her case to trial.  

“Navigating the legal system can often feel overwhelming, especially when faced with complex legal jargon and bureaucratic red tape. However, the guides on the Rights of Women website transformed my experience from confusion and frustration to empowerment and clarity.  

“The justice system can be incredibly challenging, often taking a toll on one’s mental and emotional well-being. To have the tools and guidance to overcome these barriers is invaluable.

“Rights of Women gave me the empowerment and clarity I needed to advocate for myself and seek justice, proving to be a saviour in my pursuit of justice.”