Consultation outcome

Improving the code of practice for victims of crime

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Applies to England and Wales

This consultation has concluded

Detail of outcome

A total of 197 responses to the consultation paper were received from a range of organisations, including criminal justice practitioners such as police forces, local criminal justice boards and youth offending teams; the judiciary, legal professionals and voluntary organisations.

The consultation response document includes the reform landscape underpinning the new Victims’ Code, a summary of the responses to the report, a detailed response to the specific questions raised in the report and outlines the actions taken to reform the Code following this consultation.

The impact assessment and equality statement accompanying the consultation have been updated to take account of evidence and comments provided by respondents, as well as policy developments that occurred following the consultation period.

View the code of practice for victims of crime.

View the consultation response


Original consultation

Summary

We are seeking views on making victims' entitlements easier to understand and enable better support for victims.

This consultation ran from
to

Consultation description

Overview

This consultation sets out the government’s plans to reform the victims’ code to give victims clearer entitlements from criminal justice agencies and to better tailor service to individual need. It is aimed at all criminal justice agencies, victims of crime and businesses.

The consultation paper covers:

  • victims’ entitlements
  • duties on criminal justice agencies
  • specific entitlements for children and young people
  • the Victim Personal Statement
  • businesses
  • information on restorative justice
  • means of redress (complaints process)

The consultation paper invites views on the proposals outlined above, specifically in relation to the questions summarised on pages 28-30 of the document.

Consultation events

We will also be providing people who are interested with the opportunity to discuss the proposals contained in the consultation paper at 2 open consultation events (places must be booked in advance):

  • London: Broadway House Conference Centre, Westminster, 10am-1pm, 15 April 2013
  • Leeds: the Queen, City Square, 10am-1pm, 30 April 2013

The focus of these events will be to gather a wide range of views of our proposals, from those working with victims to victims of crime themselves. If you are interested in attending either of these events please email: partners@justice.gsi.gov.uk

Young persons’ web-chat

On 18 April at 6pm we are also holding a web-chat, hosted by NSPCC and open to 13-18 year olds, on the separate section for children and young people in the victims’ code. Any 13-18 year olds interested in taking part should email partners@justice.gsi.gov.uk for details on how to join. There is a verification process.

Documents

Consultation: improving the code of practice for victims of crime

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email web.comments@justice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Draft code of practice for victims of crime

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email web.comments@justice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Victims' code: equalities statement

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email web.comments@justice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Victims' code: impact assessment

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email web.comments@justice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.
Published 29 March 2013
Last updated 29 October 2013 + show all updates
  1. Published consultation response

  2. Replaced document

  3. First published.