News

"It is incredibly important that victims and survivors know there are safe spaces and lifelines within their own communities," says Dame Vera Baird, as she welcomes the launch of the codeword scheme.

Victims’ Commissioner welcomes “welcome and clear-sighted move” by Home Secretary to reverse and end the presumption against bail, which “was a misconceived move” and “bad for victims.”

Dame Vera Baird said it was "incredibly frustrating and disappointing" to find GPs were still charging. "This fee must be abolished – it’s as simple as that."

The Victims' Commissioner fears the move from the Home Office set back work in the field and further hide the issue, which is already hidden, mis-identified, and under-detected.

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.

Dame Vera Baird called for assurances from HMCTS that pressures on the court system, including the growing case backlog, would not "outweigh the potential adverse impacts on victims and witnesses".

Victims’ Commissioner and Domestic Abuse Commissioner say "little progress" has been made since the HMICFRS Honour Based Abuse inspection recommendations in 2015 and call for a follow-up inspection.

Dame Vera Baird urges the Commission to consult widely with the VAWG sector on the creation of any new offences.

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.

The police data on honour-based abuse "shows we are doing these victims a disservice," says Victims' Commissioner.