Long committed to improving Criminal Justice journey for victims
Date published:
Justice Minister Naomi Long is committed to improving the Criminal Justice journey for victims.
The Minister’s comments followed a report by the Victims’ Commissioner Designate on the benefits of victim personal statements.
The Minister said: “It is essential that we put victims and their needs at the heart of our justice system. Not only do we need to listen to victims, but we also need to hear what they are saying. It is incumbent on all criminal justice partners to alleviate the stress already on victims and to make the justice journey as easy as possible.
“I very much welcome the report by the Victims’ Commissioner Designate and I agree that we need greater clarity about how Victim Personal Statements are used.
“Through my own engagements with victims I am aware that while Victim Personal Statements can provide a unique opportunity for victims to feel involved and participate in the court process, this is not the case for everyone.
“I will urgently seek to engage with criminal justice partners and the Lady Chief Justice about the findings in the report and consider what can be done either through legislation or guidance to afford victims more clarity.”
Notes to editors:
- The Department of Justice is carrying out a Call for Views exercise on the new Victim and Witness Strategy 2025 to 2030 which is available to view Victim and Witness Strategy 2025-2030 Call for Views | Department of Justice.
- The current Victim and Witness Strategy 2021–24 was published in September 2021. The aim of the Strategy is to support all victims and witnesses and improve their experience of the criminal justice system.
- The current strategy was extended for a further year until September 2025 and an addendum one-year Action Plan is in place which sets out the Department’s commitments for this additional year.
- A full public consultation on the strategy will be launched in January 2025.
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