Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how agencies in the criminal justice system are held accountable for any failures to comply with the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime.

The Victims’ Code is freely available online, but we know more must be done to support and protect victims. We have made positive steps to improve the experience of victims, by reducing unnecessary stress and emotional turmoil of attending court. We have also reconvened the Victims’ Panel, so we can learn from the experiences of victims of crime.

Under the Victims’ Code those victims who feel that their rights have not been met can complain directly to the criminal justice agency concerned, and if they remain dissatisfied can take their complaint to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. We are currently considering how compliance with the Victims’ Code might be improved and monitored, and exploring how those delivering services can be better held to account. Plans to engage with and obtain the views of victims and victims’ groups and criminal justice agencies are being developed. We will set out our strategy for victims within 12 months, and will bring forward any appropriate primary legislation.