New rights for victims of crime come into force

03/04/2006

From today, victims of crime in Derbyshire have the legal right to be informed about the progress of their case and be given information on local support services, thanks to the new Code of Practice for Victims of Crime.

The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime is the latest development to ensure that the needs and concerns of victims of crime are central to the criminal justice system. 

Under the Code of Practice all criminal justice agencies - including the CPS - have a legal duty to provide the crucial information and advice that's so important to giving victims the ability to get their lives back on track. 

If any victim feels that they haven't received the level of service they're entitled to under the Code, and are dissatisfied with the response to their complaint, they can take their case to the Parliamentary Ombudsman via their MP.  The Ombudsman can recommend a number of remedies, including an apology, changes in processes, and even consolatory payments to victims.

Chief Crown Prosecutor Brian Gunn said: "We welcome the introduction of the Victims Code of Practice.  Support for victims of crime is already a key priority for us.  Many of the obligations outlined in the Code are already being carried out by the criminal justice agencies here in Derbyshire, but by putting them on a statutory footing for the first time we will ensure that this information is clearly set out and consistently accessible to those who need it."

The Code of Practice was also welcomed by Victim Support Derbyshire.  Linda Cross, Area Director, said: "Victim Support welcomes the Code as an enormous declaration of intent from all agencies involved in the criminal justice system to empower victims by giving them certainty as to the services they can expect to receive and making information about the progress of their case more accessible."

More information on the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime.