December 2022
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This conference examined the draft Victims’ Bill and the next steps for improving the provision and quality of victims’ services in England and Wales.
It was an opportunity to look at priorities for policy with new political leadership in government, and followed the resignation of the Victims’ Commissioner and concerns raised by the Justice Select Committee regarding the draft Bill’s potential impact and effectiveness.
Delegates discussed the provisions set out in the draft bill, including the new duties of collaboration between key local bodies, such as Police and Crime Commissioners, Integrated Care boards, and Local Authorities.
The agenda also looked at the processes, frameworks, and structures to facilitate effective design and implementation of local delivery strategies.
Further sessions considered options for improving the support and agency of victims through courtroom reforms and legal support. Delegates also discussed the next steps for advocates and independent advisors, and the priorities for improving communication, engagement, and trust in the criminal justice system.
Overall, areas for discussion included:
- inclusion: strategies for co-production - engagement with those with lived experience - ensuring that the views and interests of victims are taken into account in policy and implementation
- accountability: strategies for measuring the performance of commissioned services and their compliance with the Victims Code - options for the collection of outcomes, metrics, and data
- funding: sustainable long-term funding - assessing tendering processes and incentives
- coordination: developing joint local strategies and partnership structures - involving wider services and integrated support for children
- reducing barriers: improving access to support for victims with disabilities, trauma and those from disadvantaged or marginalised communities
- role of victims in prosecution: options for improving the support and agency of victims throughout the criminal justice system
We are pleased to have been able to include keynote sessions with Sir Bob Neill MP, Chair, Justice Committee; Iryna Pona, Policy and Impact Manager, The Children’s Society; Claire Waxman, Victims’ Commissioner for London; and Rachel Williams, Founder, Stand up to Domestic Abuse - as well as further contributions from the Centre of expertise on child sexual abuse (CSA Centre); Crown Prosecution Service; Deputy Mayor of Lewisham; Goldsmith Chambers; Greater Manchester Police; JUSTICE; NHS Devon; One Pump Court; Parole Board; Police and Crime Commissioner for Durham; Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey; The Survivors Trust; University of Strathclyde; and Victim Support.
The chairs were Baroness Newlove, Deputy Speaker, House of Lords; and former Victims’ Commissioner (2012-2019); and Ellie Reeves MP, Shadow Minister for Justice.
The conference was an opportunity for the stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who attended from the GLD; Home Office; the House of Commons Library; MOJ; the NAO; The Scottish Government; and the Welsh Government.
