Publication of the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime - Information, Protection and Support for all Victims
19 Oct 2005
The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime sets out the services victims can expect to receive from the criminal justice system including:
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A right to information about their crime within specified time scales, including the right to be notified of any arrests and court cases.
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A dedicated family liaison police officer to be assigned to bereaved relatives.
Clear information from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) on eligibility for compensation under the Scheme. -
All victims to be told about Victim Support and either referred on to them or offered their service.
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An enhanced service in the cases of vulnerable or intimidated victims.
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Flexibility with regard to opting in or out of receiving services to ensure victims receive the level of service they want.
Criminal justice bodies, including the Prison Service, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority and all police forces in England and Wales will need to ensure that victims of crime and their families receive information, protection and support. The Government's current programme of work for victims also includes the establishment of Witness Care Units, a consultation on Victims' Advocates, the forthcoming Prosecutor's Pledge and the commitment to the appointment of a Victims Commissioner by April 2006.
The Government aims to ensure that every victim, including relatives of people who have died as the result of a crime, has access to information on support services in their local area.
Victims Minister Fiona Mactaggart said:
"Our criminal justice system already works hard to protect the innocent from being wrongly convicted. This is just as it should be, but we also have a duty to ensure that the innocent victims of crime receive the information and support they need to carry on living their lives. Many of the services outlined in the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime already exist, but by putting them on a statutory footing for the first time we will ensure that this information is clearly set out and consistently accessible to those who need it.
"As part of a wider programme of Government work, the Victims' Code aims to inform and protect victims of crime and their families, to establish a support network of service providers, and to put victims at the heart of the criminal justice system."
John Broughton, ACPO lead on victims and Assistant Chief Constable of Essex police said:
"The Association of Chief Police Officers is pleased to have been involved in the development of this Code. It represents an important part of the rebalancing necessary to ensure victims are better informed, given a voice in the criminal justice process and provided with the support they require. I am delighted to have been personally associated with the work that has led to today's publication and look forward to the positive impact the Code will have on confidence and the overall experience of victims."
Dame Helen Reeves DBE, Chief Executive of Victim Support, said:
"For many years we have campaigned for victims and witnesses to have statutory rights, so we consider the introduction of the Code to be a landmark event. We are particularly pleased that it guarantees that the majority of victims will get a referral to our services – this should help significantly to reduce the number of people who suffer in silence after a crime."
The Victims' Code will come into full force in April 2006, when victims will have the right to appeal should they feel that any of the service providers have not delivered their obligations under the Victims' Code. If dissatisfied with the response to their complaint, will be able to take their case to the Parliamentary Ombudsman via their MP.
A full version of the code can be downloaded from the right hand side of this page.