By Sheila Mckenzie-
Victims of alleged crimes attending court will enjoy the benefit of anew code, including the entitlement not to see the defendant before or after their case, under a new code coming into force today.
The Victims’ Code which focuses on 12 rights, sets out the minimum level of service victims can expect from criminal justice agencies such as the police, Crown Prosecution Service, and the courts.
The code is a charter of rights which stipulates the minimum level of service victims can expect at every stage of the justice process, regardless of whether they choose to report the crime or not.
Under the new code which brings together 12 “overarching rights”, victims will be told what to expect at every stage of the justice system – regardless of whether they choose to report the crime or not, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said.
As part of the code, victims will also be given the right to be informed of the reasons why a suspect is not being prosecuted. If unhappy, they will be able to ask the police or Crown Prosecution Service to review this decision.
Victims will be provided with updates on the progress of a convicted offender and their eligibility for release or parole, under the provisions of the code.
In the case of an offender who is a foreign national, victims will for the first time have the right to know when they are deported.
Among the changes, it will ensure: vulnerable victims are able to pre-record their evidence ahead of a trial, so they can avoid the stress of cross-examination in court.
There also will be greater flexibility over when and how a victim’s personal statement, which tells the court how the crime has affected them, can be made.
As part of the code, victims will also be given the right to be informed of the reasons why a suspect is not being prosecuted.
Review
If unhappy, they will be able to ask the police or Crown Prosecution Service to review this decision. the first time, eligible victims will be automatically referred to the Victim Contact Scheme (VCS) and offered a Victim Liaison Officer (VLO), who provides vital updates on offenders as they serve their sentence, including their potential release from prison.
A VLO can also help victims apply for licence conditions to reduce the chance of them encountering an offender in the community and assist with requesting reviews of Parole Board decisions.
New Victims Law
The Ministry Of Justice (MoJ) said the code paved the way for a new victims’ law, on which ministers will consult this summer.
This would seek to underpin victims’ rights in legislation and ensure justice agencies are held to account for delivering them, the MoJ said.
Justice Secretary Robert Buckland said: “Having worked for over 25 years as a criminal barrister, I know how daunting the justice system can be for victims, which is why the information and support they receive is so vital.
“Our new code provides victims with a simplified and stronger set of rights, making clear their entitlements at every step of the way as they recover from crime.
“But we are not stopping here and will consult on strengthening these rights even further through a Victims’ Law as we continue to build back confidence in the justice system.”