Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will conduct a review of the existing protections for victims of serious violent crime which specifically consults those affected or bereaved by knife crime attacks.

Serious violence devastates families and communities and we are taking action on a number of fronts to tackle it.

With regard specifically to victims we are reviewing the Victims’ Code, including the enhanced entitlements in the Code for victims of the most serious violence and bereaved family members, and we will consult on the proposals shortly.

However, we recognise more needs to be done. That’s why the Prime Minister hosted a Serious Youth Violence Summit last month. Following the Summit, the Justice Secretary announced:

• that the emotional, practical and specialist support of the Ministry of Justice funded national Homicide Service would be available to witnesses of murder and manslaughter in London from 4 April and be considered for wider roll out;
• the review of the Victims’ Code will include making it clearer that those psychologically affected after witnessing acts of serious violence are entitled to support just as are physical victims; and
• a pilot programme will introduce staff training and guidance in young offender institutions to help identify children in custody who may have been victims of crime and allow for referral to support in custody and the community to help them cope and recover.