Child victims of crime are set to receive swifter justice and clearer support under a renewed Victims’ Code unveiled by the Government.
Ministers say the strengthened Code will better protect children navigating the criminal justice system and ensure they understand their rights from the moment a crime is reported through to trial and beyond. Central to the plans is the creation of the first ever child-friendly version of the Victims’ Code, written in age-appropriate language and developed in consultation with young people and experts.
The move comes amid concerns that many children and teenagers affected by crimes such as domestic abuse and sexual violence are left confused and unsupported, often unaware of where to turn for help.
Under the proposals, child victims will receive clearer information about their rights — including the right to be referred, or to self-refer, to specialist support services. The revised Code also aims to give young people aged 12 and over more direct contact with police and probation officers, alongside their parents or guardians, recognising their need for dignity and autonomy as survivors of crime.
The Government says the reforms are designed to help victims feel safer and more confident in seeing cases through the justice process, forming part of its wider “Plan for Change” to improve outcomes across the system.
A public consultation on the changes will run for three months, from February to April, via gov.uk. The Victims’ Code applies to all victims of crime in England and Wales, regardless of whether they choose to report an offence.
Alongside the updated Code, ministers are launching a nationwide “Understand Your Rights” campaign to raise awareness of the support available. The campaign aims to ensure victims know the Code exists and understand how it applies to them, whatever the crime.
The announcement follows a series of recent measures focused on protecting women and children from violence and abuse. These include the launch of a new strategy to tackle violence against women and girls, plans to repeal the presumption of parental involvement in family courts to prioritise children’s safety, and a review of guidelines aimed at preventing the criminalisation of children in care.
Ministers have also pledged to remove parental responsibility from individuals convicted of serious sexual offences against children, including in cases where a child is born as a result of rape.
The Government says the combined reforms mark a significant step towards a justice system that better recognises and responds to the needs of its youngest victims.
The 12 principles of the proposed new Victims’ Code are:
- To understand and be understood, and to have services adjusted to your needs
- To have the details of the crime recorded without unjustified delay
- To be given information when reporting the crime
- To self-refer and/or to be referred to services that support victims
- To be given information about compensation
- To be given information about the investigation and prosecution
- To make a Victim Impact Statement
- To be given information about the trial, trial process and your role as a witness
- To be given information about the outcome of the case and any appeals
- To be paid expenses and have property returned
- To be given information about the offender following a conviction
- To make a complaint about your Rights not being met
Leave a Reply