Key Facts

• The Victims and Prisoners Bill proposes collaboration among agencies supporting victims.
• There is no current penalty for non-compliance with data sharing requirements.
• Witnesses suggest an escalation route akin to the Information Commissioner’s Office for enforcement.
• The duty to collaborate among agencies should be broader for all victims, not just those affected by specific offences.
• Policing welcomes the Bill's intentions but emphasizes the need for accountability beyond policing.
• Metrics and qualitative information about victims' experiences are important for understanding compliance with the code.
• The revised victims code was launched back in April 2021.
• Chief constables have a responsibility for delivering the code across their forces.
• Part 3 of the Victims and Prisoners Bill will cost at least £80 million per year.
• The current duty to collaborate lacks additional funding for services.
• A needs assessment on sexual violence services in London cost £110,000.
• Forces vary greatly in size and complexity, requiring different numbers of analysts.
• The Children's Commissioner suggested amending the victims' code to specifically address children as victims.
• Trust and confidence issues can prevent young people from coming forward to the police.
• There is a need to consider how the Bill focuses on children in terms of compliance and enforcement.
• Martin Jones introduced himself as the chief executive of the Parole Board since 2015.
• Part 3 of the Bill lacked pre-legislative scrutiny, which would have been beneficial for Parliament to understand its impact.
• The proposed new release test introduces a public protection threshold that aligns with current Parole Board practices.
• Julie Elliott ends the questions for this session.
• Jan Lamping introduces herself as the chief Crown prosecutor for CPS Service Yorkshire and Humberside and has a thematic lead for victims.
• The Bill includes principles of the code in legislation for the first time.
• Victims can complain about non-compliance with code rights to an independent assessor or the parliamentary and health service ombudsman.
• A new duty applies to every rape and serious sexual offence victim after a not guilty plea, offering a more detailed meeting with CPS staff.
• The government's transformation programme aims to improve communication with victims.
• Early meetings between the CPS and victims are proposed for rape and serious sexual offence cases after a not guilty plea.
• Victims find it useful to meet with prosecutors under Operation Soteria, often in conjunction with ISVA support.
• Jan Lamping discussed the need for victims to have their own advocate during legal proceedings.
• There are concerns about delays in court processes if judicial declarations are required for disclosure of personal records.
• Special measures such as live links, remote testimony, private hearings, and pre-recorded evidence are available to support witnesses.
• NHS England commissions £50 million-worth of sexual assault referral centres across the country.
• The long-term plan in 2019 increased a baseline of £4 million for mental health trauma-informed services around sexual violence.
• Kate Davies recently announced another £2 million for these services.
• The ICBs are being urged to commission services for domestic and sexual violence similar to how they fund other health issues affecting thousands of people.
• Collaboration is considered essential but needs proper funding beyond a 'convener role' to support meaningful partnerships.
• Local authorities and the NHS face significant capacity issues that could hinder effective collaboration.
• Julie Elliott suspended the Committee for Divisions in the Chamber.
• The suspension lasted at least 25 minutes due to two expected votes.
• Julie Elliott welcomed Gabrielle Shaw, Rachel Almeida, and Duncan Craig as witnesses.
• Duncan Craig is the founder and CEO of We Are Survivors, supporting male survivors of abuse.
• Rachel Almeida is the assistant director for knowledge and insight at Victim Support.
• Gabrielle Shaw is the chief executive of NAPAC, which supports adult survivors of childhood abuse.
• The Office for National Statistics showed that there are more than 8.5 million adult survivors of some kind of childhood abuse or trauma in England and Wales.
• Only a tiny fraction of survivors will report or disclose their abuse.
• The Bill aims to provide statutory recognition and rights for victims, but it needs strengthening to ensure inclusivity.
• The Bill was unexpectedly amended late in development without extensive consultation.
• Section 32(1)(b) relates to any aspect of the criminal justice system but does not hold organisations like SARCs accountable for adherence to victims’ rights.
• Duncan Craig’s organisation provides services to over 2,500 men and thousands of women annually.
• About 87% of paedophilic offenders are victims themselves.
• Only about 3% of victims go on to offend.
• Craig's organisation deals with the root causes and offers therapy to prisoners.
• 897 prisoners are now on waiting lists for therapy.
• The Bill could prevent future offenses by addressing root causes.
• Duncan Craig mentions a concern about the new police detectives joining who might not be trained properly.
• Rachel Almeida highlights that ISVA roles should be independent from statutory organisations.
• In Greater Manchester, an opt-out system for ISVAs is being considered to ensure all victims are assigned one automatically.
• The meeting was adjourned until Thursday 22 June at half-past Eleven o’clock.
• Witnesses included organisations such as Restorative Justice Council, Suzy Lamplugh Trust, and others like Napo Trade Union for Probation.