Consultation on a New Victims’ Code of Practice Welcomed
13th March 2020
Mark Burns-Williamson, West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) is urging everyone to get involved with the Ministry of Justice’s consultation on a new Victims Code.
The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime (the Victims’ Code) is a statutory Government document which sets out the minimum level of services that victims of crime should receive from criminal justice agencies and other organisations in England and Wales.
It aims to help victims to receive the information they need about their case, the criminal justice system, and the support services available. This in turn enables them to navigate the justice process and make their own informed decisions about what services to access, and what they are entitled to expect.
The Victims’ Code came into effect in 2006 and was updated in 2013 and again in 2015.
Additionally, from April this year Police and Crime Commissioners will be responsible for monitoring Code compliance in respect of a handful of key entitlements.
Welcoming the consultation, PCC Mark Burns-Williamson, said: “I pledged to put victims first so I am pleased to see this consultation being launched which I hope will lead to a more accessible and user-friendly version of the Code being introduced and put into practice.
“I recently launched a Victims Strategy for West Yorkshire, which has seven key priorities to improve support to people harmed by crime. These priorities both compliment and challenge certain aspects of the current Code, the latter of which I hope to see addressed following feedback to this consultation.
“The West Yorkshire Strategy was launched with the backing of the Victims’ Commissioner, Dame Vera Baird – who spoke about her vision for the Code and a mooted Victims Law which has my full support.
“I would urge everyone, from victims themselves, police officers and staff, services providers and members of the public to get involved and have their say. I want to see a Code that works for everyone, something we are able to champion to help all victims have the same level of service and care.”
To complete the consultation visit https://consult.justice.gov.uk/victim-policy/consultation-on-improving-the-victims-code/