§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make it his policy that all victims of violence, rape and child abuse should be made aware of the financial assistance provided by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenIt is already our policy that all victims of violence, rape and child abuse (and of other offences which might result in an award) should be aware of the possibility of compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. We have made available through the police service a leaflet entitled "Victims of Crime", which describes how compensation may be available from the offender by order of a criminal or civil court, or from the criminal injuries compensation scheme. Victim support schemes (which with Government encouragement and public money, have expanded to cover 94 per cent. of the population of England and Wales) also play a part in informing victims of their rights. The board itself has given detailed guidance to all social services departments and local victim support schemes about the availability of awards in child abuse cases, and this guidance has been made available to all citizens advice bureaux.