Crime Victims (Hansard, 3 July 1997)

§ Mr. Straw

The Government are committed to improving the position of victims and those who give evidence to the police and in court. Our election manifesto said: "Victims of crime are too often neglected by the criminal justice system".

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Therefore, I am pleased to announce today the following measures which will give victims a greater priority within the criminal justice system:

an extra £1 million to Victim Support to provide further court-based and local scheme support for victims of crime and for witnesses, and to provide a national telephone helpline for victims:
an inter-departmental review to look at further ways of assisting vulnerable witnesses—such as victims of rape or of domestic violence—and providing witnesses with greater protection from intimidation;
an examination of measures to ensure that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is more responsive to the needs of victims as part of the independent review of the CPS under the chairmanship of Lord Justice Glidewell.

Victim Support

Victim Support receives the Government's full support for the dedicated work it does helping victims of crime. Its 365 local schemes and branches support more than a million victims a year, and there is now a witness support service at all the 77 Crown court centres in England and Wales. Despite this, the previous Government froze the £11.7 million grant to Victim Support and made it clear that no more money would be forthcoming. However, support for victims of crime is a top priority for this Government. I have therefore decided to make an additional £1 million available to Victim Support to re-inforce both its court-based and local scheme support for victims and witnesses. It will also establish a new national telephone helpline to provide an easy source of help and information to victims of crime.

Vulnerable witnesses and witness protection

Many victims and witnesses find the criminal justice process daunting and stressful, particularly those who are vulnerable because of personal circumstances or the nature of certain serious crimes, such as rape. Some witnesses are not always regarded as capable of giving evidence while others are in fear of intimidation. Our manifesto stated that "greater protection will be provided for victims in rape and serious sexual offence trials and for those subject to intimidation, including witnesses". The Government have therefore established an inter-departmental group to undertake a wide-ranging review. It will have the following terms of reference:

to identify measures at all stages or the criminal justice process to improve the treatment of vulnerable witnesses, including those subject to intimidation;
to encourage such witnesses to give evidence of crime and enable them to give best evidence in court;
to consider which witnesses should be classified as vulnerable;
to identify effective procedures for applying appropriate measures in individual cases; and
to make costed recommendations.

The group will have regard to the interests of justice, the importance of preventing and detecting crime, the needs of witnesses and cost effectiveness; and take into account the National Standards for Witness Care in England and Wales.

Crown Prosecution Service

Our manifesto also said: We will ensure that victims are kept fully informed of the progress of their case, and why charges may have been downgraded or dropped". 237W My right hon. Friend the Attorney-General has already announced the creation of local Chief Crown Prosecutors for each police force area as part of his reforms to the CPS. The Government believe this will ensure that prosecutors are more sensitive to the needs of victims, particularly on decisions to discontinue or downgrade cases. My right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General has also established an independent review under the chairmanship of Lord Justice Glidewell which will examine how the CPS can be made more aware of the needs of victims and witnesses.