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| More must be done for crime victims says Criminal Justice report | More must be done for crime victims says Criminal Justice report |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The independent watchdog that oversees the criminal justice system has said more needs to be done for victims of crime and court witnesses. | The independent watchdog that oversees the criminal justice system has said more needs to be done for victims of crime and court witnesses. |
| A new report by the Criminal Justice Inspection (CJI) said there should also be time limits on how long it takes cases to go through the courts. | A new report by the Criminal Justice Inspection (CJI) said there should also be time limits on how long it takes cases to go through the courts. |
| The report said there had been positive developments in the treatment of victims and witnesses. | The report said there had been positive developments in the treatment of victims and witnesses. |
| But victims felt that more attention was paid to the needs of the accused. | |
| It said that they often felt marginalised by the process. | It said that they often felt marginalised by the process. |
| Dr Michael Maguire, from the CJI, told Radio Ulster it was important to make help for victims a "service rather than a system". | Dr Michael Maguire, from the CJI, told Radio Ulster it was important to make help for victims a "service rather than a system". |
| One of the main complaints is over the length of time it takes for court cases to be completed, which the report's authors said could add to the anxiety and potential trauma of victims. | One of the main complaints is over the length of time it takes for court cases to be completed, which the report's authors said could add to the anxiety and potential trauma of victims. |
| "The clear message is that there is still a substantial minority that were unhappy with their experience of the criminal justice system," said Dr Maguire. | "The clear message is that there is still a substantial minority that were unhappy with their experience of the criminal justice system," said Dr Maguire. |
| "One of the important messages to come out of the report is the need for empathy and understanding in relation to the needs of victims and witnesses. | "One of the important messages to come out of the report is the need for empathy and understanding in relation to the needs of victims and witnesses. |
| "Because they enter into the justice system through no fault of their own and it's important that there isn't a one size fits all approach in dealing with individuals." | "Because they enter into the justice system through no fault of their own and it's important that there isn't a one size fits all approach in dealing with individuals." |
| The inspectors have also called for better communication with victims and witnesses on the progress of a case. | The inspectors have also called for better communication with victims and witnesses on the progress of a case. |
| Dr Maguire said: "People want to know where their case is in the system. | Dr Maguire said: "People want to know where their case is in the system. |
| "They want to have some understanding of when they are due to go to court, if they have to go to court and what the impact on them is going to be. | "They want to have some understanding of when they are due to go to court, if they have to go to court and what the impact on them is going to be. |
| "They don't want to have to ring up several people on a whole range of occasions and to get different answers." | "They don't want to have to ring up several people on a whole range of occasions and to get different answers." |
| The Department of Justice has welcomed the report. The Justice Minister David Ford said he has already commissioned work on the development of a new strategy for victims and witnesses of crime, and the report will help inform that strategy. | The Department of Justice has welcomed the report. The Justice Minister David Ford said he has already commissioned work on the development of a new strategy for victims and witnesses of crime, and the report will help inform that strategy. |