Victims of crime given a voice in Government
04 Oct 2006
The Victims Advisory Panel consists of people who themselves have been victims of crimes such as burglary, anti-social behaviour and hate crime, are family members of murder victims or who provide support to victims.
Through a series of different working groups, nine panel members will examine the way victims and witnesses are represented in the Criminal Justice System and make formal policy recommendations directly to ministers.
Home Office Minister Gerry Sutcliffe said:
"This Government is committed to rebalancing the criminal justice system in favour of victims of crime and the law-abiding majority. Giving a voice to those with direct experience of the needs of victims is pivotal to that process.
"The chance of becoming a victim of crime is now at its lowest for over twenty years, but being a victim or witness of a crime can have a severe and damaging effect. We will ensure that victims have the emotional and practical support they need but they must also feel that the criminal justice system is on their side when it comes to giving evidence which may be crucial in bringing perpetrators to justice. I look forward to examining the panel members' recommendations in working to make this a reality.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the inaugural panel for their useful and insightful work into how we can ensure the needs of victims of crime are put at the heart of the criminal justice system."
Constitutional Affairs Minister Rt Hon Harriet Harman QC MP said:
"Crime victims must get the support they need and want from the criminal justice system. The Victims Advisory Panel will represent the needs of victims, whatever their circumstances – and will help the Government in getting the system right.
"I look forward to working further with the panel on the victims' advocates pilot which gives the relatives an opportunity after conviction, but before sentencing, to actually say, or have said on their behalf, what the effect of the crime has been on them."
Kathryn Stone, spokesperson for the Victims Advisory Panel, said:
"I welcome the establishment of the Victims Advisory Panel. All of the new panel members are passionate about being involved in improving services offered to victims of crime. In some cases we want to offer our experience to ensure that others do not go through what we have been through. In others we simply want to bring our expertise right to the heart of government.
"Too often the voice of the victim is not heard properly or not heard early enough. Through the Victims Advisory Panel we are looking forward to being the voice of victims of crime at a crucial stage – when policy is first being developed."
Kathryn is chief executive of Voice UK, a national charity to help people with learning difficulties who have been the victims of crime or abuse.