How do the courts help people when they've been victims of crime?
The courts are only part of the process - you need to look at the wholepathway through the criminal justice system. And the Home Office, whichis intent on shifting the balance of the system "to put the needs ofvictims first", has set up a virtual tour to help explain the variousprocesses and translate the jargon into plain English. It's also issueda discussion paper for consultation.
Is it tied into the new legislation for victims? The Domestic Violence,Crime and Victims Act 2004 introduces a code of practice and a newcommissioner for victims and witnesses - valuable additions to thesystem. The code, for example, sets out timescales for the delivery ofservices that provide support to victims of crime, with a fast-trackservice for vulnerable victims including children. The Crown ProsecutionService has its own code, which includes a provision for taking intoaccount the views of the victim or victim's family when deciding whetheror not to prosecute.
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