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Victims' rights
Our achievements in criminal justice
We have achieved many policy successes. Victims' and witnesses' interests
are now high on the political agenda.
In recent years, a wide range of new procedures and legislation have been announced.
This shows that, one by one, the rights we have identified
have been recognised and action has been taken.
We have contributed to improvements in victims' and witnesses' rights in relation to
- the 1996 Victim's
charter, which made sure that all victims could be kept informed about developments
in their cases
- the Protection
from Harassment Act
- the Family
Law Act
- the Youth
Justice and Criminal Evidence Act and other the measures set out in the Home Office's
report Speaking
up for justice
- the development of the Probation Service's contact with victims of serious
offences, put into statute in the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act
- victim personal statements - victims can let the criminal justice agencies
know about their needs and interests
- direct communication with victims by the Crown Prosecution Service when
charges are dropped or downgraded
- Lord
Justice Auld's Review of the criminal courts
- the consultation on the Review
of the victim's charter, which led to the victims' Code of practice referred to in the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Bill
- the government's consultation on domestic violence Safety and justice
- the government's strategy on restorative justice
- the Criminal Justice Act
- the Sexual Offences Act (following the review of sexual offences).
Victim Support will continue to work closely with everyone involved in the
introduction of these new measures to make sure that they are as effective
as possible.
Related topics
© Victim Support
http://www.victimsupport.org.uk
Page printed: 16 October 2019
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