The newly introduced Victims and Courts Bill will ‘help victims get the justice they deserve’ say the government introducing a string of new measures including an express statutory power for judges to order offenders to attend their sentencing hearings and restricting parental responsibility for child sex offenders.
The headline element of the bill, introduced into Parliament on Wednesday 7th May, is the introduction of stricter sanctions on those who refuse to attend court and face their victims. On top of additional jail time, the bill introduces powers to impose cell confinement and loss of privileges, like extra time in the gym as a punishment. These powers are to be extended to all cases in the Crown Court.
“This Bill will deliver long overdue reforms to ensure victims see justice done and are given the vital support they need as they rebuild their lives.”
said Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Shabana Mahmood, adding
“There is still more work to do as we fix a justice system that was left on the brink of collapse, but this Bill is a step towards rebuilding victims’ confidence through our Plan for Change.”
Elsewhere the bill will also automatically restrict parental responsibility for serious sexual abuse offenders sentenced to four years or more for an offence against a child for whom they hold parental responsibility. They will be prevented from taking an active role in the child’s life and restricted from updates on schooling or other activities.
Other measures in the bill include
- Updating the Victim Contact Scheme and establishing a new Victim Helpline so victims have a clear route to request information about an offender’s release
- increase flexibility for the Director of Public Prosecutions in appointing Crown Prosecutors
- set rates at which prosecutor costs in private prosecutions can be recovered from Central Funds
- amend the time limit for the Attorney General to refer a sentence to the Court of Appeal on the grounds that it is unduly lenient
- amend Magistrates Court Sentencing Powers for six either-way offences
The government say it plans to ‘bolster’ the role of the Victims’ Commissioner who will play a greater role in individual cases which raise systemic issues ensuring lessons are learned to benefit other victims or witnesses. Welcoming the move the Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, Baroness Newlove, said:
“These important and welcome reforms give the Victims’ Commissioner the statutory powers needed to deliver on the role’s promise: championing victims’ rights, scrutinising compliance with the Victims’ Code, holding agencies to account, and spotlighting the true victim experience to drive meaningful change. This marks a step towards a more accountable system that puts victims first.”
“Crucially, it introduces much-needed oversight and accountability to how agencies respond to anti-social behaviour – an area where victims have too often felt unheard and unsupported.”
Minister Davies-Jones added
“I would like to thank the remarkable families of Olivia Pratt-Korbel, Jan Mustafa, Sabina Nessa and Zara Aleena and countless others who have campaigned tirelessly for offenders to have to face the reality of their crimes by attending their sentencing.”
“Justice isn’t optional – we’ll make sure criminals face their victims.”
