Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to institute a review of the quality and effectiveness of services provided to children and vulnerable adults who are complainants, victims or witnesses in criminal trials.

Answered by Baroness Levitt - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

The Victims’ Code is statutory guidance that sets out the minimum level of service that victims of crime should receive from the criminal justice system. Witnesses who are not victims under the Code, are covered by the Witness Charter, which sets out standards of care for witnesses in the criminal justice system.

During the trial itself, the Victims’ Code includes the right for victims to make a Victim Personal Statement, the right to be given information about the trial and on the role of a witness, and the right to be given information about the outcome of the case. Recognising that certain victims are more likely to require specialised assistance, victims who are under the age of 18 at the time of the offence, as well as victims who service providers consider vulnerable or intimidated, are eligible for Enhanced Rights under the Code. This may include being offered a referral to a specialist support service, being contacted sooner after key decisions, and being assisted with accessing relevant special measures. Witnesses under the age of 18 and other vulnerable and intimidated witnesses under the Witness Charter may also be eligible for additional support during the police investigation and at trial.

We will be consulting on a new Code in due course to make sure we get the foundations for victims right.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to offer all child victims of crime Achieving Best Evidence-compliant service and video-recorded interviews in child-friendly environments, including those outside police stations, regardless of whether they have already made complaints to police officers.

Answered by Baroness Levitt - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

This Government is committed to ensuring that child victims of crime are treated with sensitivity and care throughout the criminal justice process. The Achieving Best Evidence guidance makes clear that interviews do not need take place in police stations and provides practical advice on arranging a suitable interview environment. Registered intermediaries are also available to support effective communication between the child and the police during interviews.

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that children and vulnerable adults who are victims of abuse receive the highest standard of care and support. To this end, the Ministry of Justice funds local practical, emotional, and therapeutic support services for victims of all crime types, including child sexual abuse.

The Government continues to explore innovative models of support, including approaches inspired by the Barnahus model, to ensure that children and vulnerable adults in child abuse cases get the support they need.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to adopt as standard in criminal justice settings the Barnahus service approach for achieving best evidence and meeting the physical and mental health needs of children and vulnerable adults in child abuse cases.

Answered by Baroness Levitt - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

This Government is committed to ensuring that child victims of crime are treated with sensitivity and care throughout the criminal justice process. The Achieving Best Evidence guidance makes clear that interviews do not need take place in police stations and provides practical advice on arranging a suitable interview environment. Registered intermediaries are also available to support effective communication between the child and the police during interviews.

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that children and vulnerable adults who are victims of abuse receive the highest standard of care and support. To this end, the Ministry of Justice funds local practical, emotional, and therapeutic support services for victims of all crime types, including child sexual abuse.

The Government continues to explore innovative models of support, including approaches inspired by the Barnahus model, to ensure that children and vulnerable adults in child abuse cases get the support they need.

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