Topic: Victims’ rights and policies
The Nationality and Borders Bill fails to grasp what being a victim of slavery means
Setting a time limit for modern slavery claims fails to take into account the trauma suffered by those subjected to abuse.
Have your say: the Victims’ Law consultation
Running until 3 February 2022, the Ministry of Justice consultation is now open to the public and seeks to understand how victims can be better supported through and beyond the criminal justice process across England and Wales.
BLOG: Without basic access to justice, the integrity of the military is at risk
It’s time to give victims of rape and sexual assault in the armed forces access to independent, civilian support and justice.
New privacy safeguards: rape victims’ mobile phone data to be protected from unjustified intrusion
The Government agrees to amend Police, Crime, Sentencing & Courts Bill to protect victim privacy, whilst ensuring fair trial rights.
Victims Commissioner seeks clarity on new ministerial portfolios
Dame Vera Baird asks the Justice Secretary for guidance on which ministers will be leading key victims' work, including the Victims' Bill and Rape Review.
Victims’ Commissioner urges new Justice Secretary to push on with Victims Bill consultation
"It is the right time to listen to victims and meet their needs to enable the criminal justice system to recover, thrive and improve," says Dame Vera as she welcomes Dominic Raab into post.
BLOG: Fraud is now an epidemic within a pandemic – the upcoming fraud strategy needs to be bold and ambitious
Fraud has become the volume crime of our times — an epidemic within a pandemic. Yet you wouldn’t know it, to judge from the criminal justice system’s response.
Victims Law: Victims must be participants in the justice system – not onlookers
In her 2020/21 Annual Report, Dame Vera Baird sets our her vision for reconceptualising the status of victims in the forthcoming Victims Bill.
BLOG: The new domestic abuse law is a much-improved piece of legislation that will save lives. But we can – and must – go further.
As the Domestic Abuse Bill finally receives Royal Assent, the Victims' Commissioner congratulates campaigners and the government in her latest blog.
BLOG: We have the chance to ensure victims’ rights are clearly upheld in law
The Victims' Commissioner welcomes the commitment to consult on new victims' legislation and says "the clock is ticking" for all criminal justice agencies to deliver on the rights in the new Victims’ Code.