Direct Communication with Victims

Explaining decision on cases

Direct Communication with Victims is a national CPS initiative. If the criminal charge is substantially altered or has to be dropped, for example through lack of evidence, the CPS lawyer who makes the decision on the case will write directly to the victim concerned to give full explanation of the reasons why.

If the victim is deceased, this explanation will be given to bereaved relatives, parents and partners.

Method of communication

This will usually by letter, although in certain circumstances, such as a victim who is blind or partially sighted, a telephone call may be a more appropriate form of communication.

In cases involving death, child abuse, sexual offences or racially aggravated offences a meeting will be offered to the victim (or the deceased's family) and at the lawyer's discretion in any other case.