MP Maria Miller has Government proposals for a ground breaking new Victim’s Law, which will get victims of crime to get the support they deserve while holding offenders accountable. This law will that would guarantee greater consultation with victims during the criminal justice process to ensure their voices are properly heard, and hold agencies such as the police, Crown Prosecution Service and courts service to appropriately account for the service they provide to victims.
To ensure that victims feel supported by the criminal justice system and are able to properly engage with the process at every stage, the Ministry of Justice are launching a consultation on the upcoming Victims’ Bill, in order to improve victims’ experience of the justice system. Its five key elements will focus on amplifying victims’ voices, increasing transparency, sharpening accountability, improving support, and furthering protection.
MP Maria Miller said, ‘I welcome that the government have launched a public consultation for the Victims’ Law today. We know that responses to crimes such as rape need of transformation, so this is announcement is a once in a generation opportunity to drive tangible cultural change, requiring agencies to see, hear and help victims – and where necessary, with consequences if agencies fall short of this.’
Under plans set out in a consultation published today, victims’ views would be taken into better account at regular points during their case. Proposals include an explicit requirement for prosecutors to meet the victims of certain crimes before making a charging decision in order to understand the impact.
The government also published the first ever quarterly performance scorecards, rating the performance of different criminal justice agencies, in a drive for greater accountability and transparency. The publication of this data will help identify and address concerns, including key information on the volumes of cases going through the system and the time taken for investigation, charging and completion at court. It also includes data on victim engagement – with Ministers determined to increase confidence so that more victims pursue their case so that justice is served as frequently as possible. Local scorecards will be published next year setting out greater detail in each area of the country.
The consultation is now open for public responses and closes on the 3rd February 2022. To submit a response click here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/delivering-justice-for-victims-a-consultation-on-improving-victims-experiences-of-the-justice-system
