The Victims’ Commissioner has established an Advisory Board comprising representatives from key criminal justice agencies, inspectorates and other stakeholders.
The Board provides strategic advice, assurance and support to the Commissioner in the exercise of her statutory functions. It serves as a forum for criminal justice partners to consider system-wide issues affecting victims of crime in England and Wales and to provide advice on opportunities to improve victims’ experiences and outcomes.
Board membership
- Academia: Senior criminal justice academic
- APCC: Association of Police and Crime Commissioners
- CPS: Crown Prosecution Service
- Criminal Bar: Criminal Bar Association
- HMICFRS: His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services
- HMCPSI: His Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate
- HMCTS: His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service
- HMI Probation: His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation
- HMPPS – Probation: His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service – Probation Service
- Judicial Office: Judiciary / Judicial Office
- Magistrates Association: Magistrates’ Association
- MoJ: Ministry of Justice
- NPCC: National Police Chiefs’ Council
- Parole Board: Parole Board for England and Wales
- Criminal Justice Board for Wales
- Youth Justice Board: Youth Justice Board for England and Wales
Further information
VCAB meeting summaries
The Victims’ Commissioner held the inaugural meeting of the Victims’ Commissioner’s Advisory Board (VCAB), bringing together senior leaders from across policing, prosecution, courts, probation, and the Ministry of Justice.
Key Items Discussed:
- Board Mandate: Establishing clear terms of reference to provide cross-system oversight, improve agency coordination, and ensure victims do not fall through structural gaps.
- Improving Victim Navigation: Discussing options for simpler contact pathways and ways to streamline data sharing so victims do not have to repeatedly retell their story.
- Victims’ Rights & Compliance: Reviewing strategies to track and improve agency compliance with the Victims’ Code of Practice across England and Wales.
Justice System Pressures: Exchanging insights on current crown court delays and identifying practical steps to mitigate the impact of backlogs on victims and bereaved families.
Key Items Discussed:
- Early Release Scheme: Discussed the operational impact of early release schemes on victims, emphasising the importance of trauma-informed communications, victim safety, and clear information sharing.
- Electronic Monitoring & Multi-Agency Operations: Reviewed cross-agency data sharing and post-release electronic monitoring, ahead of an upcoming joint inspectorate thematic report.
- Victims’ Code Compliance Framework: Reviewed Ministry of Justice progress on statutory compliance duties under the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 and ongoing efforts to track compliance across criminal justice agencies.
- Compliance Monitoring Roadmap: Outlined upcoming oversight initiatives, including the publication of findings from the Victims’ Commissioner’s 2026 Victim Survey and joint inspectorate reviews.