Cleveland PCC Matt Storey has criticised the slow roll-out of new laws to help protect and support victims.
But he has backed local victims’ services, which he says provide “exceptional services.”
The Victims and Prisoners Act received Royal Assent in May 2024. It places new duties on criminal justice agencies to monitor and report on compliance with the Victims’ Code.
However, many of the systems needed to monitor how agencies like the police, CPS and courts put the new rules into practice are not yet in place.
Cleveland PCC Matt Storey said: “Victims are often treated as an afterthought when it comes to crime, justice and setting up services to protect and support our communities.
“The Victims and Prisoners Act was supposed to change all that – but until systems are in place across the country to uphold victims’ rights under the Act, nothing really has changed.
“Feedback given to the Victims’ Commissioner shows that most victims are still not getting the justice, support and information, which they need to help them recover.
“We have exceptional victim support services in Cleveland which provide critical support to local victims of crime and deliver excellent outcomes for the people they help.
“All victims should get equal access to high quality support and be confident their legal rights are recognised.”
Not fully in place
At present, the Victims’ Commissioner claims her duty to monitor how victims rights are rolled out cannot be entirely fulfilled. That’s because systems needed to monitor and enforce the Code – like the compliance framework and national approaches to victim feedback – are not fully in place.
Victims’ Commissioner Claire Waxman OBE has written to the Deputy Prime Minister asking for provisions to be implemented.
Under the Victims’ Code, victims should be given clear information, updates on their case and referral to support services.
Basic entitlements
Research from the Victims’ Commissioner shows many victims are still not receiving basic entitlements.
Fewer than half of victims (42%) believe they can get justice. Just over a quarter (27%) recall being referred to specialist support services. Less than a fifth of victims had heard of the Victims’ Code.
The Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 aims to strengthen the rights of victims of crime. It also aims to overhaul the management of prisoners.
Rights and Support for Victims
- Enforceable Victims’ Code: The Victims’ Code moved from being guidance to a code of statutory rights. It places legal duties on criminal justice bodies and Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) to review compliance. They also must enforce minimum service standards
- Independent Public Advocate: An advocate can be appointed after a major incident. The advocate will guide victims through inquests and public inquiries.
- Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA): The act restricts the use of confidentiality clauses or NDAs. NDAs will become void if they are used to prevent victims from reporting crimes, seeking legal advice, or disclosing information to regulatory bodies.
- Jade’s Law: This law automatically suspends parental responsibility for anyone convicted of homicide against someone with whom they share parental responsibility.
Prisoner Management and Parole
- Parole Reforms: Reform will mean there is greater ministerial oversight and the power to overturn the release of the most serious offenders. This is in a bid to increase public protection
- Marriage Ban: Prohibits prisoners serving Whole Life Orders from marrying or forming civil partnerships while in prison unless in exceptional circumstances.
- Infected Blood Compensation: Makes statutory provisions to set up a compensation scheme for those affected by contaminated blood.
