Ministry of Justice launches Victims’ Bill consultation
21 January 2022
The Ministry of Justice has launched a consultation on the provisions for a new Victims’ Bill, which aims to enshrine the rights of victims of crime in law and improve support for those who experience crime in the UK.
Currently the treatment of victims of crime in the criminal justice system is guided by the Victims’ Code, but this does not set out legal rights and has limited options for restoration and support if the needs of victims are not met.
The consultation focuses on five key areas for development:
- What victims should expect
- Performance and accountability
- The Victim Surcharge
- Community-based support services
- Improved advocacy support
You can fill out the consultation regardless of whether you have been affected by crime or not. What would you like to happen if you were the victim of a crime? How could the justice system meet your needs more successfully?
The deadline for responses is 3rd February 2022.