News

The Victims' Commissioner criticises the Home Office document on male victims as "devoid of ambition" and "disappointing in the extreme".

The Victims' Commissioner reacts to the latest criminal court statistics, which show "enormous" court backlogs are leaving victims waiting on average 436 days for their case to come to court.

Dame Vera Baird has announced her "firm intention" to stand for a second term as Victims' Commissioner, as the government launches an open recruitment process.

Dame Vera Baird warmly welcomes move by the Home Secretary, which she brands "game-changing".

"We are now not short on recommendations. Ultimately, the problems in investigating and prosecuting rapes are plain and clear and it is drive and leadership to bring fundamental change on the ground that is now urgently needed."

Dame Vera Baird said most worrying was Home Office data showing 30 per cent of victims withdrew reports of rape within three months, suggesting their experience had been so bad and traumatic that they could not go through with the prosecution.

Victims' Commissioner launches survey aimed at capturing the lived experience of victims of online harmful and abusive behaviours in England and Wales.

Setting a time limit for modern slavery claims fails to take into account the trauma suffered by those subjected to abuse.

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.

To mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we publish the full transcript of the Victims' Commissioner's speech to police earlier this year, where Dame Vera Baird urged policing to lead the way on much-needed cultural change.