A new book examined the origins of, and the relationship between, the rise of the victim movement and the emergence of restorative justice . It sought to assess their strengths and weaknesses in meeting the needs of victims as part of the overall response to crime.
Source: James Dignan, Understanding Victims and Restorative Justice, Open University Press (01280 823388)
Links: Summary
Date: 2004-Nov
A new book provided a detailed account of the evolution of Labour government policies that culminated, in 2003, in proposals for awarding 'near-rights' to victims of crime.
Source: Paul Rock, Constructing Victims' Rights: The Home Office, New Labour, and victims, Oxford University Press (01536 741727)
Links: Summary
Date: 2004-Oct
Researchers found that, in the majority of incidents (75 per cent), victims of crime did not want any form of advice or support: but victims who reported an incident and who did want information from the police received it in only one-fifth of incidents.
Source: Laura Ringham and Heather Salisbury, Support for Victims of Crime: findings from the 2002/2003 British Crime Survey, Online Report 31/04, Home Office (web publication only)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2004-Jul
The government published a summary of responses to proposals on compensation and support for victims of crime. It welcomed the broad support for the establishment of a 'victims fund', but recognised that some respondents would prefer alternative means of provision.
Source: Compensation and Support for Victims of Crime : Summary of responses to a Home Office consultation paper, Home Office (0870 000 1585)
Links: Report (pdf) | Consultation paper (pdf)
Date: 2004-Jun
Campaigners said that, despite recent improvements in the criminal justice system, the victims of around 7 million crimes a year were still left to cope largely on their own.
Source: 30:30 Vision: Victim Support at 30 and the challenges ahead, Victim Support (020 7735 9166)
Links: Report | Victim Support press release | Guardian report
Date: 2004-Feb
The Northern Ireland Office published the results of research into the views of victims and witnesses on their treatment by various criminal justice organisations and others working within the criminal justice system. Of the research sample 56 per cent of those interviewed were satisfied by their overall treatment and 42 per cent dissatisfied.
Source: Victims' and Witnesses' Views on their Treatment in the Criminal Justice System, Research and Statistical Series 10, Northern Ireland Office (028 9052 0700)
Links: Report (pdf) | NIO press release
Date: 2004-Feb
The government began consultation on proposals for a new national Victims Fund, which would be used to provide a broader and more effective range of services for victims of crime. There would be a 5 to 30 surcharge on offenders, including those who committed 'victimless' crimes such as traffic and drug-related offences, to finance the fund.
Source: Compensation and Support for Victims of Crime, Home Office (0870 000 1585) | House of Commons Hansard, Written Ministerial Statement 12 January 2004, columns 17-18WS, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Consultation document (pdf) | Hansard | Home Office press release | Guardian report (1) | Guardian report (2)
Date: 2004-Jan