MPs are set to consider a package of laws meant to improve victim’s rights today, but critics have already hit out that this new Victims Bill “isn’t worth the paper it’s written” on, due to diluting of its original aims by justice secretary Dominic Raab before his resignation.
The possibility of government dilution of laws that are there to support and empower victims is frightening and bleak. Andrea Simon, director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW), points out the paramount importance of the Bill, and what it can do for survivors.
“This Bill has the potential to improve victims and survivors’ experiences of the criminal justice system, at a time when women and girls’ confidence in justice agencies is at an all-time low and survivors are being routinely failed in the most appalling way,” she said.
“There remains much to do to improve all victims and survivors’ experiences of justice and recovery, especially the most marginalised,” she adds. “The government needs to keep victims’ rights at the heart of this Bill, instead of pursuing the Refugee Ban Bill and so-called Bill of Rights, which significantly undermine the spirit of a Victims Bill.” This Victims Bill should look to protect Black, minorities and migrant survivors, who are disproportionately victims of violence against women and girls, yet also experience poorer outcomes in access to justice and support, yet the Refugee Ban and Bill of Rights are actively othering and persecuting minorities.
Here’s what we’d like to see on the new iteration of the bill, to help protect victims and survivors of crime.
For it to be made easier to give evidence
According to Alan Collins, Partner in the sex abuse team at Hugh James Solicitors, in order to give victims and survivors the best chance of making their case, they need to be able to give evidence easier, and methods of doing so need to be as accessible as possible, ranging from video methods to ensuring there are tools of interpretation and translation on hand if necessary.
For sustainable funding to be promised for specialist services for victims
We’d like to see the government commit to funding services for victims across all areas, ensuring that those who need the help most don’t slip through the cracks.
“Recovery is an essential part of justice, and we need to ensure every survivor who needs help can access specialist support that is tailored to their needs,” Simon says. “We are a long way from that being a reality and need to see the government commit to sustainable funding of specialist services in the community – particularly those led by and for Black and minoritised women.”
Independent legal advice for rape survivors
Victims of sexual crimes go through enough as it is when accusing their abuser, and EVAW believes that independent legal advice should be offered as standard by the new Victims Bill.
“If this Bill is truly going to centre victims and their needs, it must provide independent legal advice for rape survivors and safeguards to protect them from excessive police requests for their medical history, therapy notes and other personal data,” Simon explains.
Clarity on how advocates can help victims
According to Women’s Aid, those analysing and working on the Victims Bill have acknowledged the importance of having advocates for survivors of crimes such as domestic violence.
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