An inspectorate report identified weaknesses in the way that the Crown Prosecution Service communicated with vulnerable and intimidated victims.
Source: Direct Communication with Victims: An audit of CPS performance in relation to keeping victims informed, HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (020 7210 1197)
Links: Report
Date: 2007-Sep
A 5-year strategy was published aimed at improving criminal justice services to victims and witnesses of crime in Northern Ireland.
Source: Bridging the Gap Between Needs and Service Delivery 2007-2012, Criminal Justice System Northern Ireland c/o Northern Ireland Office (028 9052 0700)
Links: Strategy | Summary | NIPS press release
Date: 2007-Sep
Researchers examined the views of victims and offenders taking part in restorative justice schemes. Overall, victims and offenders were very happy with how the schemes operated and with their experiences of restorative justice.
Source: Joanna Shapland et al., Restorative Justice: The Views of Victims and Offenders - The third report from the evaluation of three schemes, Research Report 3/07, Ministry of Justice (020 7210 8500)
Links: Report
Date: 2007-Jun
A new book examined the experiences of relatives of those accused or convicted of serious crimes such as murder, manslaughter, rape, and sex offences. It focused on how relatives made sense of their experiences: how they described the difficulties they faced; whether they were blamed and shamed and in what manner; and how they 'understood' the offence.
Source: Rachel Condry, Dick Hobbs and Geoffrey Pearson, Families Shamed: The consequences of crime for relatives of serious offenders, Willan Publishing (01884 840337)
Links: Summary
Date: 2007-May
A new book provided a critical analysis of victimization in society, with reference to the social divisions of class, race, age, and gender.
Source: Pamela Davies, Peter Francis and Chris Greer, Victims, Crime and Society, SAGE Publications Ltd (020 7324 8500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2007-Feb
The government began consultation on a strategy designed to enhance the delivery of services to victims and witnesses across the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland. Key proposals included: easier access to information about the operation of the criminal justice system; specific and timely information on case progression; a consistently high quality of service across the system; appropriate and focused victim and witness support throughout the process; and a variety of channels through which victims and witnesses? views could be made known.
Source: Delivering a Better Service to Victims and Witnesses of Crime: A Northern Ireland draft strategy, Northern Ireland Office (028 9052 0700)
Links: Consultation document
Date: 2007-Jan