MOJ response to recommendations: Centre for Women’s Justice super-complaint
Updated 27 January 2023
Applies to England and Wales
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Letter information
From: Isla Scott, Deputy Director Victim and Witness Policy Unit, Ministry of Justice
To: Chief Executive Andy Marsh QPM, College of Policing
Cc: Harriet Wistrich, Centre for Women’s Justice
Sent on: 15 August 2022
Centre for Women’s Justice super-complaint recommendation
I am writing in response to the recommendation made to the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) in the report following the Centre for Women’s Justice super-complaint, published on 30th June 2022. I would like to thank you for the report and recommendation for Ministry of Justice, which we accept.
Recommendation 3 (b)
MoJ to ensure its guidance for independent domestic violence advisors includes guidance on the specific risks and vulnerabilities of police-perpetrated domestic abuse PPDA victims and the specific support and advice they may need in relation to both the criminal and misconduct aspects of the police response.
Our landmark Victims Bill will improve support for victims. In particular, it will enhance the position of Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) and Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs), which we know make victims almost 50% more likely to stay engaged with the criminal justice process.
It will require that the Secretary of State issue guidance on IDVAs and ISVAs. This will include provision about the role of advisors as well as how advisors, and others who have functions relating to victims should work together. It will also set out best practice and expectations regarding the functions of these roles, including supporting victims with specific needs.
In response to this recommendation, we will work closely with stakeholders to ensure the guidance addresses the specific issues regarding police-perpetrated domestic abuse that practitioners should be aware of. We will also ensure the guidance sets out specific support IDVAs could provide for these victims and consider how the guidance might reference police misconduct processes, including signposting to external resources, as appropriate.
More broadly, the MoJ are increasing funding for victim and witness support services to £192 million by 2024/25. This includes ringfenced funding to increase the number of ISVAs and IDVAs by 300 to over 1000 by 2024/25 - a 43% increase on the number of ISVAs and IDVAs over the next three years.