An independent voice for victims and witnesses

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photo of Dame Vera Baird — Dame Vera Baird

I am honoured to be the Victims’ Commissioner to champion the interests of victims of crime and witnesses.

I am a long-term champion for victims rights.

For the past four years I have been the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners’ national lead for supporting victims. As Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria, where I commissioned victims’ services, I launched a local Victim’s Advisory Group and I’m proud to say that with their help, our service has a 98% satisfaction rate.

My first-hand experience of our criminal justice system, as a QC and as a Government Minister, in the MoJ and as a Solicitor General ensures that I can speak directly to partners who matter in a voice that will be heard

I have already asked for and got membership of the Criminal Justice Board, where Ministers and heads of criminal justice agencies take key decisions and where they MUST hear from victims.

But I am especially proud to work with victims.

I want to hear first-hand of your experiences, about reality on the ground.

Our justice system only works when it delivers justice to both victim and offender.

And justice for victims needs their voice to be heard.

I am the Victims’ Commissioner who is on your side.