The government began consultation on plans to provide better support to victims of crime. The plans included a major simplification of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, increasing the amount of support provided to those most seriously injured by crime. Responsibility for compensating people injured at work would be transferred to the relevant employer.
Source: Rebuilding Lives - Supporting Victims of Crime, Cm 6705, Home Office, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Consultation document | Home Office press release | Guardian report
Date: 2005-Dec
A report evaluated the manner in which one Youth Offending Service sought to integrate victims into the referral order process. It said that although victim involvement was time consuming and labour intensive, it was extremely beneficial both to the victims and young offenders.
Source: Adam Crawford and Tom Burden, Integrating Victims in Restorative Youth Justice, Policy Press, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2005-Nov
The government published a code of practice for victims of crime, setting out the services victims could expect to receive from the criminal justice system, including: a right to information about their crime, including arrests and court cases, within a specified timeframe; and a dedicated family liaison police officer to help bereaved relatives.
Source: The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime, Home Office (0870 000 1585)
Links: Code (pdf) | Home Office press release
Date: 2005-Oct
The government began consultation on proposals to introduce victims' advocates in criminal trials in England and Wales. Relatives of murder or manslaughter victims would have the opportunity to make a personal statement in court before sentence.
Source: Hearing the Relatives of Murder and Manslaughter Victims, Department for Constitutional Affairs (020 7210 8500)
Links: Consultation document (pdf) | DCA press release | Guardian report
Date: 2005-Sep
A new book examined whether a victim's experience could be improved purely by diminishing the rights of offenders and increasing penalties for offending.
Source: Brian Williams, Victims of Crime and Community Justice, Jessica Kingsley Publishers (020 7833 2307)
Links: Summary
Date: 2005-Jun
A report examined the experiences of young black men as victims of crime. The report found scope for making services for victims of crime more accessible to young black men, and made recommendations to organizations both inside and outside the criminal justice system.
Source: Stella Yarrow, The Experiences of Young Black Men as Victims of Crime, Criminal Justice System Race Unit/Home Office (CJSRACE@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk) and Victims and Confidence Unit/Home Office
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf)
Date: 2005-Feb