Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Crown Prosecution Service: Communication with Victims

Thursday 20 May 2021 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The CPS is taking steps to improve communication with victims to ensure justice delivery.
  • The CPS considers priority communications for victims with known autism or mental health issues.
  • The Attorney General's office promotes awareness of the ULS scheme through social media and collaboration with the Ministry of Justice.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Simon Baynes
Justice & Courts
Context

There is growing concern about the quality of communication between the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and victims of crime, particularly in cases where delays or lack of information can exacerbate the trauma experienced by victims.

Question

What steps the CPS is taking to improve communication with victims. I am concerned that without clear lines of communication and support, victims are left feeling abandoned and unsure about what happens next in their case.

Answer from Lucy Frazer

How we communicate with victims is absolutely critical to the delivery of justice. Having spoken to the Director of Public Prosecutions and others at the CPS, I know that they are fully committed to and understand the importance of clear and open communications to victims, giving explanations about their cases. That is why the CPS is carrying out a root and branch review to assess how best to deliver on its commitments to victims.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not specify concrete steps or timelines for improvements in communication with victims but rather states an intention for a review without additional details.

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Q2 Simon Jupp
Justice & Courts Mental Health
Context

Victims of crime who have autism or other mental health conditions face unique challenges in understanding legal processes, making it crucial to provide tailored communication strategies.

Question

What steps the CPS is taking to ensure that victims known to have autism or mental health issues receive priority communications. The questioner highlights cases where such support could prevent additional stress on vulnerable individuals.

Answer from Lucy Frazer

My hon. Friend raises an important question. In 2019, the CPS published its revised guidance on prosecuting cases where the defendant may have a mental health condition or disorder. Furthermore, where the CPS is aware that a victim has autism or mental health issues, it will consider writing in addition, or instead, to a guardian or parent, to deal with that case. For cases of rape or serious sexual offence, the CPS ensures that either the police officer overseeing the case or the independent sexual violence adviser is present to help explain to the victim any decision taken by the CPS in relation to the case.

Answered
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Q3 Simon Baynes
Justice & Courts
Context

The ULS scheme allows victims to challenge unduly lenient sentences handed down by courts. Ensuring victims are aware of this option is crucial for justice, yet awareness remains a concern.

Question

How my right hon. and learned Friend ensures that victims in Clwyd South, and elsewhere in the UK, are aware of their ULS rights. The questioner emphasizes the importance of raising awareness to empower victims to challenge unjustly lenient sentences.

Answer from Lucy Frazer

I am pleased that my hon. Friend has highlighted the importance of the ULS scheme. The Attorney General's office promotes that scheme on social media, and we are working with the Ministry of Justice to raise awareness of the scheme as part of the revised victims code that came into force last month. For example, the code now includes a requirement for the witness care unit to inform victims of the scheme promptly when sentencing takes place. That will help improve awareness of the scheme, including for my hon. Friend's constituents in Clwyd South.

Answered
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Q4 Bob Neill Con
Justice & Courts
Context

The draft Victims Bill aims to place the victims code on a statutory basis, ensuring consistent protection and support for crime victims throughout legal proceedings. Pre-legislative scrutiny can provide valuable input before the bill is passed.

Question

Would my right hon. and learned Friend agree that the draft victims Bill provides an important opportunity to place the victims code on a proper statutory basis? Will she consider whether the Justice Committee would be suitable to carry out prelegislative scrutiny? Does she agree it is important that the code includes communication pre-charge by the police, as well as by the CPS post-charge, as both are equally important?

Answer from Lucy Frazer

My hon. Friend is right to highlight the importance of the victims Bill. As he says, that Bill will have prelegislative scrutiny, and we welcome the Justice Committee's views on that. He is right to highlight the importance of the work that goes on pre-charge, as well as post-charge, and we will be looking carefully at those matters.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide a definitive commitment on Justice Committee scrutiny or specific actions regarding police communication before charges are filed, despite the importance highlighted by the questioner.

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