Topic: Victims’ rights and policies
New Victims’ Code comes into force – “a positive step forward for victims”
The Victims' Commissioner welcomes the government commitment to consult on a Victims Law as she announces new research looking into victims' recent experience of the Code.
Victims’ Commissioner welcomes Government’s new clauses to the Domestic Abuse Bill and urges them to go further
The Victims' Commissioner congratulates the Government on listening to domestic abuse campaigners in adding new laws to Domestic Abuse Bill, and urges further steps.
Victims’ Commissioner responds to Law Commission proposals around intimate image based abuse
Dame Vera Baird says it is “imperative” intimate image abuse is made a criminal offence and welcomes Law Commission proposals.
Use new Victims Law to transform victims’ rights and reposition victims as participants – not bystanders – in our justice system, says Victims’ Commissioner
Victims’ Commissioner publishes new paper setting out her ambitions for long-awaited Victims’ Law and calls for criminal justice agencies to be more accountable and for victims to be accorded “participants’ rights".
Victims’ Commissioner responds to Opposition moves to introduce victims’ legislation
"A Victims’ Law has been long awaited and is now long overdue," says Dame Vera. "If we are to regain the trust of victims, we urgently need a change of culture in how the justice system treats them."
Commissioners endorse non-fatal strangulation amendment to the Domestic Abuse Bill
The Victims' Commissioner and Domestic Abuse Commissioner voice their support for Baroness Newlove's amendment to the Domestic Abuse Bill, which would create an offence of strangulation or asphyxiation.
Watch: Victims’ Commissioner in conversation with… Jane Gordon, Sisters for Change
Jane Gordon from Sisters For Change joins Dame Vera Baird to discuss her recent report, its recommendations and the concept of victim as 'participant' in the criminal justice process.
Victims need to be acknowledged as ‘participants’ in the criminal justice system, says Victims’ Commissioner
A comprehensive review of how victims are dealt with in other adversarial systems shows England & Wales lag other countries in providing substantive victim participatory rights.
Independent report calls for the Victims’ Commissioner to have enhanced powers to ensure agencies are held to account
New research reveals the Victims' Commissioner needs an enhanced role and powers to ensure entitlements under the Victims' Code are properly delivered and agencies held to account.
BLOG: “If the Domestic Abuse Bill is to make a real difference and save lives, non-fatal strangulation must be made a distinct and serious crime.”
As we kick off #16DaysOfActivism against gender-based violence, the Victims' Commissioner reflects on the recent Femicide Census 10-year report and reiterates her call for the government to introduce a freestanding offence of strangulation in the Domestic Abuse Bill.