Grahame Morris – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grahame Morris on 2015-10-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps the Government is taking to improve services for victims and witnesses of crime.
Mike Penning
The Government is undertaking a wide range of measures to improve services for victims and witnesses of crime.
We recently published a revised Victims’ Code which will come into force on 16 November. As a result, victims of all criminal offences, and not just victims of more serious offences, will be entitled to support; and victims will be entitled to support from a wider range of organisations.
Significant work is being undertaken by the Ministry of Justice to improve the experience of victims and witnesses when they engage with the criminal justice system, which includes strengthening the protection available when going to court. We have already doubled the number of Registered Intermediaries available to offer support to vulnerable witnesses and are giving vulnerable victims and witnesses greater opportunity to give evidence away from court using new live-link facilities. This is on top of a range of existing special measures to help reduce the anxiety of attending court, including giving evidence from behind a screen in the courtroom or the use of live-link from another room in court to the courtroom.
Police and Crime Commissioners are responsible for commissioning the majority of emotional, practical and specialist support services for victims of crime, based on their assessment of local needs, and receive funding from the Ministry of Justice to do so. In addition, the Ministry of Justice funds services to support those bereaved by murder and manslaughter, female and male victims of rape, victims of road traffic crime and victims of terrorism, and support for victims and witnesses attending criminal courts. To help victims find the services they need, the Ministry of Justice has recently launched the Victims’ Information Service, which includes a website directory of services and a free telephone helpline which can provide immediate assistance and support.
