News

In her 2020/21 Annual Report, Dame Vera Baird sets our her vision for reconceptualising the status of victims in the forthcoming Victims Bill.

Responding to the report's findings, Dame Vera Baird praises the "ambition" and calls for VAWG to be a strategic policing issue and subject to the local duty in PCSC Bill.

"We have to seize this moment if we are to escape this crisis on our justice system," says Victims' Commissioner, as she warns the government has a "mountain to climb" to restore victim confidence in the justice system.

The Victims’ Commissioner and her team held a live discussion and Q&A of her new review of special measures on 26 May.

Ruling out an extension to the deadline, Minister Malthouse reassures victims that late applications will still be considered on a “case-by-case basis”.

Dame Vera Baird calls for victims to share their views of the criminal justice system.

The Victims' Commissioner and Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner issue a joint statement: "Unless victims receive the care they require at first point of contact with the criminal justice system, we’ve got no hope of victims supporting a case through court."

Grant bereaved families automatic non means-tested funding for legal representation following state related deaths, says Victims' Commissioner.

Vulnerable and intimidated witnesses still put at risk of coming face-to-face with perpetrators and not receiving the support they need to prevent courtroom intimidation.

"It’s clear that this trajectory is no good for anyone and this cannot carry on – we must get to the bottom of this," says Commissioner.