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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/sep/10/uk-disaster-victims-and-bereaved-to-get-extra-support
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| UK disaster victims and bereaved to get extra support | UK disaster victims and bereaved to get extra support |
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| Victims of major disasters like the Grenfell Tower fire or the Hillsborough stadium crush will be given extra support in the immediate aftermath, under government plans unveiled on Monday. | Victims of major disasters like the Grenfell Tower fire or the Hillsborough stadium crush will be given extra support in the immediate aftermath, under government plans unveiled on Monday. |
| Proposals for an independent public advocate are outlined in a broader consultation on improving the rights of victims. The Ministry of Justice will also consult on the creation of a “victims’ law” – a promise repeatedly made at party conferences – and upgrade waiting areas for victims and witnesses in courthouses. | Proposals for an independent public advocate are outlined in a broader consultation on improving the rights of victims. The Ministry of Justice will also consult on the creation of a “victims’ law” – a promise repeatedly made at party conferences – and upgrade waiting areas for victims and witnesses in courthouses. |
| The MoJ said an independent public advocate would help guide bereaved families through any investigative process after a disaster “so their voices can be heard at inquest”. | The MoJ said an independent public advocate would help guide bereaved families through any investigative process after a disaster “so their voices can be heard at inquest”. |
| Although the title includes the term “advocate”, the official will not represent bereaved families at inquiries or inquests. The strategy document acknowledges there is “some potential for confusion”. A separate debate about how to fund lawyers for bereaved families at inquests is not yet resolved. | Although the title includes the term “advocate”, the official will not represent bereaved families at inquiries or inquests. The strategy document acknowledges there is “some potential for confusion”. A separate debate about how to fund lawyers for bereaved families at inquests is not yet resolved. |
| Other measures proposed include: | Other measures proposed include: |
| • Extending the unduly lenient sentence scheme to the court of appeal, enabling victims and the public to pursue requests for harsher sentences further through the court system. | • Extending the unduly lenient sentence scheme to the court of appeal, enabling victims and the public to pursue requests for harsher sentences further through the court system. |
| • Boosting by 25% the number of registered intermediaries – communication experts who help vulnerable victims and witnesses give evidence in police interviews and trials. | • Boosting by 25% the number of registered intermediaries – communication experts who help vulnerable victims and witnesses give evidence in police interviews and trials. |
| • Reviewing the criminal injuries compensation scheme (CICS) and considering abolition of the pre-1979 “same roof rule”, which prevented payments from being made to victims who lived in the same home as their attacker. | • Reviewing the criminal injuries compensation scheme (CICS) and considering abolition of the pre-1979 “same roof rule”, which prevented payments from being made to victims who lived in the same home as their attacker. |
| The consultation, which will run until early December, follows criticism of the handling of victims of the Grenfell Tower fire last year and a damning report on the experience of relatives of the 96 Hillsborough victims. | The consultation, which will run until early December, follows criticism of the handling of victims of the Grenfell Tower fire last year and a damning report on the experience of relatives of the 96 Hillsborough victims. |
| In a foreword, the justice minister Edward Argar said: “It is clear there remain serious concerns about how far the voices of the bereaved are heard, and how far they are supported in fully understanding and participating in the investigatory process.” | In a foreword, the justice minister Edward Argar said: “It is clear there remain serious concerns about how far the voices of the bereaved are heard, and how far they are supported in fully understanding and participating in the investigatory process.” |
| Theresa May said: “Nothing can take away the distress and trauma of being a victim of crime, but ensuring people get the support they need as they rebuild their lives is vital. How we support victims is fundamental to a caring society, and in recognition of that we are taking steps to enshrine their rights in law for the very first time.” | Theresa May said: “Nothing can take away the distress and trauma of being a victim of crime, but ensuring people get the support they need as they rebuild their lives is vital. How we support victims is fundamental to a caring society, and in recognition of that we are taking steps to enshrine their rights in law for the very first time.” |
| The justice secretary, David Gauke, said: “Many of us will be lucky enough to not have to encounter the justice system as a victim of crime, but those who do must not also become a victim of the process.” | The justice secretary, David Gauke, said: “Many of us will be lucky enough to not have to encounter the justice system as a victim of crime, but those who do must not also become a victim of the process.” |
| Helen Newlove, the victims commissioner for England and Wales, said: “This is a timely focus on the needs and rights of victims, and is a major step forward towards ensuring they receive the care, support and justice they deserve. | Helen Newlove, the victims commissioner for England and Wales, said: “This is a timely focus on the needs and rights of victims, and is a major step forward towards ensuring they receive the care, support and justice they deserve. |
| “Victims consistently tell me that they feel their status in the criminal justice system is not comparable with that of the offender. As victims commissioner I have long been calling for a victims’ law to ensure that the rights of victims are central to the delivery of our justice system.” | “Victims consistently tell me that they feel their status in the criminal justice system is not comparable with that of the offender. As victims commissioner I have long been calling for a victims’ law to ensure that the rights of victims are central to the delivery of our justice system.” |
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