A study by the independent Victims' Champion examined how frontline services met the needs of victims and witnesses. Victims needed to be considered in terms of the total impact of the crime committed against them and their individual needs arising from this impact – in contrast to the existing system that tailored services to victims in terms of the type of offence committed against them and how to successfully apprehend the offender.
Source: Sara Payne, Redefining Justice: Addressing the individual needs of victims and witnesses, Ministry of Justice (020 7210 8500)
Links: Report | Police Federation press release | Guardian report
Date: 2009-Nov
A joint inspectorate report examined the effectiveness of services provided to victims and witnesses of crime, and whether they maximized the likelihood of witnesses attending court and improved the confidence of victims and witnesses in the criminal justice system. The general level of service provided to prosecution witnesses had improved significantly, but there was 'considerable scope' for further improvement.
Source: Report of a Joint thematic Review of Victim and Witness Experiences in the Criminal Justice System, HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (020 7210 1197), HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and HM Inspectorate of Court Administration
Links: Report | Summary | HMCPSI press release | MOJ press release | ACPO press release
Date: 2009-May
A new book examined the meaning, implications, and impact of the government's pledge to put victims 'at the heart' of the criminal justice system. It offered a model for what a genuinely victim-centred criminal justice system might look like.
Source: Matthew Hall, Victims of Crime: Policy and practice in criminal justice, Willan Publishing (01884 840337)
Links: Summary
Date: 2009-Jan