News

The Victims' Commissioner welcomes plans to introduce a statutory definition of so-called honour-based abuse, alongside a number of additional measures set to improve the response to what Baroness Newlove describes as a 'devastating crime'.

The Victims’ Commissioner has raised serious concerns about declining levels of victim confidence in the police and wider justice system, following the release of the latest ONS crime survey data.

The Victims' Commissioner responds to government plans to introduce 'restriction zones' for certain offenders.

Proposed measures include introducing legal advice and representation for complainants, reform of rules of evidence to address myths and misconceptions about sexual violence, and specialist sexual offences courts.

“While prevention is important, it is only one part of the puzzle,” says Baroness Newlove, as she reiterates calls for the forthcoming government strategy to prioritise specialist victim services, including those for victims of sexual violence.

The Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, Baroness Newlove, has welcomed a new report exposing the scale of victim attrition in London, warning that too many victims are still being left to navigate a complex and distressing process without the support they need.

Welcoming a new report by the Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Dame Nicole Jacobs, the Victims' Commissioner joins the DA Commissioner's calls for a robust oversight mechanism, saying that we owe it to victims and their families to turn learning into action.

“There is no credible alternative – but even this may fall short of what’s truly needed,” says Baroness Newlove as she calls for greater investment in court capacity and victim support.

As Anti-social Behaviour Awareness Week draws to a close, the Victims’ Commissioner has welcomed new Government action to tackle incidents in town centres – while urging policymakers not to overlook the experiences of victims facing persistent anti-social behaviour (ASB) in their homes.

With Anti-social Behaviour Awareness Week now underway (30 June to 6 July), the Victims’ Commissioner reflects on what must change to better recognise and support victims of persistent anti-social behaviour.