A new Victims’ Code consultation - Chapter 4: Improving how opportunities to participate are offered to victims - Ministry of Justice

4A. Do you think that the opportunity to make a Victim Impact Statement should be offered to victims once a suspect has been charged and again when a trial is scheduled?

Yes No

Please explain your answer.

4B. How helpful do you think the new information in Right 7 is to ensure victims understand how they can make a Victim Impact Statement?

Very unhelpful Somewhat unhelpful Neither helpful nor unhelpful Somewhat helpful Very helpful

Please explain your answer.

4C. How helpful do you think the new information in Right 11 is to ensure victims understand when they can make a Victim Impact Statement?

Very unhelpful Somewhat unhelpful Neither helpful nor unhelpful Somewhat helpful Very helpful

Please explain your answer.

4D. At which point(s) during criminal justice proceedings should victims be told about sentencing hearings and offender attendance?

4E. What information would be useful to help victims understand why the judge may or may not decide to order the offender to attend the hearing?

4F. Do you think that sentencing decisions are well understood by victims?

Yes No

Please explain your answer.

4G. What materials do you think would be useful for victims to help increase their understanding of sentencing decisions?

4H. Do you agree that victims should be proactively offered additional opportunities to join the Victim Contact Scheme, where eligible?

Yes No

Please explain your answer.

4I. At what point(s) do you think this offer could be made to victims (outside of the circumstances accounted for where risk has increased to the victim, or where the case is high profile)?

4J. Do you agree that the victim should have to consent to being contacted in future if they decline joining the Scheme (outside of the circumstances accounted for where risk has increased to the victim, or where the case is high profile)?

Yes No

Please explain your answer.

4K. Do you think that a way for victims to express their views about an offender’s release should be introduced, recognising that this cannot have an impact on the Parole Board’s release decision?

Yes No

Please explain your answer.

4L. Please provide your views on how you think victims could express their views about an offender’s release where it is decided by the Parole Board.