Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when he plans to start the consultation on introducing a victims' code and a victims' law.

The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime (Victims' Code) is issued by the Secretary of State for Justice under section 32 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004. The Code sets out the services that must be provided to victims of crime in England and Wales, as well as the corresponding obligations on criminal justice agencies to provide these services.

We have committed to publish a victims strategy in early 2018, which will consider legislative and non-legislative options to give effect to the strategy. We have had representations from victims’ groups on many issues and we are engaging widely with victims, victims’ groups and other stakeholders as we develop the strategy. We will bring forward any legislation for victims when Parliamentary time allows.