Improving the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime

Closed 10 May 2013

Opened 29 Mar 2013

Contact

Bola Fabunmi

020 3334 3555

VictimsCodeConsultation@justice.gsi.gov.uk

Results updated 31 Oct 2013

Consultation response

A total of 197 responses to the consultation paper were received from a range of organisations, including criminal justice practitioners such as police forces, local criminal justice boards and youth offending teams; the judiciary, legal professionals and voluntary organisations.

The consultation response document includes the reform landscape underpinning the new Victims' Code, a summary of the responses to the report, a detailed response to the specific questions raised in the report and outlines the actions taken to reform the Code following this consultation.

The impact assessment and equality statement accompanying the consultation have been updated to take account of evidence and comments provided by respondents, as well as policy developments that occurred following the consultation period.

Files:

Links:

Overview

This consultation sets out the Government’s plans to reform the Victims’ Code to give victims clearer entitlements from criminal justice agencies and to better tailor service to individual need. It is aimed at all criminal justice agencies, victims of crime and businesses.

The consultation paper covers:

  •  Victims’ entitlements
  • Duties on criminal justice agencies
  • Specific entitlements for children and young people
  • The Victim Personal Statement
  • Businesses
  • Information on Restorative Justice
  • Means of redress (complaints process)

The consultation paper invites views on the proposals outlined above, specifically in relation to the questions summarised on pages 28-30 of the document.

Consultation Events
 
We will also be providing people who are interested with the opportunity to discuss the proposals contained in the consultation paper at two open consultation events (places must be booked in advance):
 
London (Broadway House Conference Centre, Westminster, 10am-1pm) – 15 April 2013
 
Leeds (The Queen's Hotel, City Square, 10.30am-1pm) – 30 April 2013
The focus of these events will be to gather a wide range of views of our proposals, from those working with victims to victims of crime themselves. If you are interested in attending either of these events please email partners@justice.gsi.gov.uk
 
You can hear what we talked about at our consultation event in London and join in the discussion at: http://blogs.justice.gov.uk/digital/2013/04/victims-code/
 
Young Persons Webchat
 
On 18 April at 6pm we are also holding a web-chat, hosted by NSPCC and open to 13-18 year olds, on the separate section for children and young people in the Victims’ Code.  Any 13-18 year olds interested in taking part should email partners@justice.gsi.gov.uk for details on how to join. There is a verification process.

 

Audiences

  • Businesses
  • Voluntary organisations
  • Young people
  • Offenders
  • Victims

Interests

  • Courts
  • Public Bodies
  • Youth Justice
  • Criminal justice