Hello
We thought some of you might be interested in the consultation the Ministry of Justice is currently running on the new Victims’ Code, which sets out the minimum level of information and service victims can expect from criminal justice agencies.
The Code will focus on 12 overarching rights:
-To be able to understand and to be understood.
-To have the details of the crime recorded without unjustified delay
-To be provided with information when reporting the crime
-To be referred to victim support services and have services and support tailored to your needs
-To be provided with information about compensation
-To be provided with information about the investigation and prosecution
-To make a Victim Personal Statement
-To be given information about the trial, trial process and your role as a witness
-To be given information about the outcome of the case and any appeals
-To be paid expenses and have property returned
-To be given information about the offender following a conviction
-To make a complaint about rights not being met
The proposals set out in the new Code include:
-Offering greater flexibility over when a Victim Personal Statement, which tells the court how the crime has affected the victim, can be made.
-Simplifying and shortening the Code to make it clear, concise and easy to understand.
-Changing the Victim Contact Scheme from an opt-in to automatic referral scheme.
-New rights for victims of mentally disordered offenders, allowing them access to a Victim -Liaison Officer to provide information on an offender’s management and potential release from hospital.
-For the first time, the Code sets out the rights of victims of Foreign National Offenders to be updated on when an offender’s deportation may occur.
-The new Code also includes practical information about how victims can access services provided by the National Health Service (NHS) and sign-post them to where they can get help and advice if they are approached by the media.
More information about the consultation is available here and the consultation itself is here. Please note that the consultation will run until 16 April 2020.
Thanks
MNHQ