Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what services aimed at giving victims of crime practical and emotional support have been introduced since 1 October 2012.

The Government is committed to putting victims and witnesses first in the criminal justice system and ensuring that they have access to high quality support to help them to cope with and, as far as is possible, recover from the impacts of crime. That is why we implemented a new “Victims’ Code” in December 2013, which gives victims of crime clearer entitlements from criminal justice agencies and better tailors services to individual need.

The Government appointed Baroness Newlove as Victims’ Commissioner on 21^st December 2012. She is committed to making a difference for victims and improving their experience of the criminal justice system.

The MoJ published a witness charter at the end of 2013, clearly setting out the standards of service witnesses can expect at all stages, and has brought in a range of special measures to support victims and witnesses to give their best evidence and to help reduce some of the anxiety of attending court. This includes, giving evidence by live video-link, the use of screens in court, and the use of an intermediary to help a witness understand the questions they are being asked and to give their answers accurately.

In our July 2014 update to the “Transforming the CJS: Strategy and Action Plan”, one of our main priorities is to improve the experience of victims and witnesses in the CJS. This means supporting victims through the CJS process and making fair and respectful treatment of victims and witnesses the norm.

In September 2014, the Government published a document outlining its commitment to victims. This outlines five commitments to help victims of crime navigate the criminal justice system, access the information and support they need, protect vulnerable victims and witnesses in court, and to guarantee their rights in law.

More money than ever before will be available for services to support victims of crime, with a potential total budget of up to £100m per year, an increase from £40m in 2009/10 and doubled from £50m in 2010/11. The majority of services being funded will be commissioned locally by Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) whilst the MoJ continues to commission some services nationally:

Since 1^st October 2014, PCCs have been responsible for commissioning the majority of victims’ services (including victim-initiated restorative justice) for their areas, as they are best placed to understand the needs of their local communities. Details of the funding that the MoJ has provided to PCCs can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/victims-and-witnesses-funding-awards#police-and-crime-commissioners-funding-for-victims

The MoJ continues to nationally commission some victims’ services. The Female Rape Support Fund will provide £4.4m per year in funding to 86 centres until at least March 2016. Under this fund, the Government has now met its commitment to commission 15 new rape support centres.

The MoJ has re-commissioned the national Homicide Service, which became operational on 1^st October 2014. This service supports families bereaved by murder or manslaughter after 2010. The MoJ is also in the process of re-commissioning the Court based Witness Service and has recently announced a £0.65m grant for 2014/15, and a further £0.65m in 2015/16, for the provision of dedicated support for male victims of rape and sexual violence.

By March 2015, a new ‘Victims’ Information Service’ will be set up. This will include a helpline to make sure victims are guided to nearby support; and a website where victims can find information about services in their area, restorative justice, the criminal justice system, and their rights under the Victims’ Code and Witness Charter.