Category: Victims’ rights and policies
Use for any existing or proposed policies that affect victims.
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.
The Victims’ Commissioner welcomes the new Victims Code as a “positive step forward for victims”
Dame Vera Baird said she was “pleased” to see the government had acted upon her suggestions and she looked forward to working with the government on how the Code could be promoted and agencies held to account with the introduction of a Victims’ Law.
Victims’ Commissioner responds to the IRAL call for evidence on judicial review
In her response to the Independent Review of Administrative Law call for evidence, Victims’ Commissioner Dame Vera Baird QC calls on the panel to approach its task with “care and caution” and asked what steps the panel is taking to ensure claimants’ views are sought as part of the reform process.
Victims’ Commissioner responds to the Crown Prosecution Service consultation on pre-therapy guidelines
In her response to the CPS consultation on draft pre-therapy guidelines, Dame Vera Baird QC said she wanted to see "top-down cultural change" in the criminal justice system to deliver for survivors of sexual violence, who have in recent times been "severely let down".
Compensation Scheme: Victims’ Commissioner’s proposal for reform
I have made detailed submissions in response to the MoJ consultation on its Criminal Injuries Compensation Review, which was published on 16 July.