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All crime victims 'should get court statement opportunity' | All crime victims 'should get court statement opportunity' |
(1 day later) | |
All victims of crime should be given the chance to make a statement in court about the impact the offence has had on their lives, the victims' commissioner for England and Wales has said. | All victims of crime should be given the chance to make a statement in court about the impact the offence has had on their lives, the victims' commissioner for England and Wales has said. |
Baroness Newlove said 15% of victims had been given the opportunity to make a victim statement in 2015/16. | Baroness Newlove said 15% of victims had been given the opportunity to make a victim statement in 2015/16. |
She said there had been little change since 2013 - when figures were first compiled - and "more needs to be done". | |
The Ministry of Justice said it will spend £70m helping victims this year. | The Ministry of Justice said it will spend £70m helping victims this year. |
As part of an official code of practice, every victim who reports a crime is entitled to write a statement about how the offence has affected their life. | As part of an official code of practice, every victim who reports a crime is entitled to write a statement about how the offence has affected their life. |
If a suspect is convicted in court, a victim statement can be read out before sentencing - as well as later at a parole hearing. | If a suspect is convicted in court, a victim statement can be read out before sentencing - as well as later at a parole hearing. |
'A wish list' | 'A wish list' |
However, in a report about the situation in England and Wales, Baroness Newlove said victims given had been given the chance of making statements in only 15% of cases. | However, in a report about the situation in England and Wales, Baroness Newlove said victims given had been given the chance of making statements in only 15% of cases. |
The right of victims to make a statement should be enshrined in law, the commissioner added, with sanctions for police and other agencies if they did not offer the service. | The right of victims to make a statement should be enshrined in law, the commissioner added, with sanctions for police and other agencies if they did not offer the service. |
"Enough is enough," said Baroness Newlove, who has campaigned against violence since her husband, Garry, was attacked and killed by youths outside their Warrington home in 2007. | "Enough is enough," said Baroness Newlove, who has campaigned against violence since her husband, Garry, was attacked and killed by youths outside their Warrington home in 2007. |
"No-one can claim that victims are 'at the heart of the criminal justice system' when these figures suggest that the Victims' Code is no more than a wish list," she added. | "No-one can claim that victims are 'at the heart of the criminal justice system' when these figures suggest that the Victims' Code is no more than a wish list," she added. |
"More needs to be done to support victims of crime." | "More needs to be done to support victims of crime." |
She added: "There are laws in place to protect the rights of offenders - but nothing to protect the rights of victims. Yet again victims' rights are being ignored." | She added: "There are laws in place to protect the rights of offenders - but nothing to protect the rights of victims. Yet again victims' rights are being ignored." |
A Ministry of Justice spokesman welcomed the report, saying it would consider its findings carefully. | A Ministry of Justice spokesman welcomed the report, saying it would consider its findings carefully. |
The government has allocated £67.85m to Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) in 2016/17, and again in 2017/18, to support victims of crime, the spokesman said. | The government has allocated £67.85m to Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) in 2016/17, and again in 2017/18, to support victims of crime, the spokesman said. |
"It is vital that blameless victims see swift and certain justice, which is why we have protected the victims' budget and given PCCs almost £70m to support victims in their areas. | "It is vital that blameless victims see swift and certain justice, which is why we have protected the victims' budget and given PCCs almost £70m to support victims in their areas. |
"We have long committed to strengthening victims' rights, to ensure the most vulnerable get the support they deserve," the spokesman added. | "We have long committed to strengthening victims' rights, to ensure the most vulnerable get the support they deserve," the spokesman added. |
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