The government has introduced the Victims and Courts Bill, which seeks to provide better protections for victims within the criminal justice system. Measures include new powers for judges to punish offenders who refuse to attend sentencing, parental restrictions for perpetrators of child sex offences, and increased powers for the Victims’ Commissioner.

Katie Kempen, Chief Executive at Victim Support said:

“Too often victims are let down when navigating a criminal justice system which makes them feel like an afterthought. It’s encouraging to see them centred in this Bill, alongside some positive measures which have the potential to make a meaningful difference to victims.

“The restriction of parental rights for those sentenced for sexual abuse against their own child is a much-needed change. We also welcome reforms to the statutory powers of the Victims’ Commissioner, improving their ability to monitor whether victims’ rights are being met throughout the criminal justice system. Moves to open the Victim Contact Scheme to more victims are a step in the right direction, but the government must ensure the scheme is adequately resourced to handle more requests.

“However, it is vital that this focus on victims is matched with increased investment in victims’ services and the wider courts and criminal justice system.”