Victims' experiences
A new (27 August 2024) report by the Victims’ Commissioner paints a concerning picture of the criminal justice system. Based on powerful testimonies, the report explores more than three thousand victims’ experiences with and perceptions of the justice system.
Drawing on exclusive data from a YouGov survey of over 3,000 victims of crime, it represents the largest study ever undertaken by the Commissioner’s office. The findings reveal considerable victim dissatisfaction with criminal justice agencies, like the police and CPS, and a lack of confidence in the criminal justice system overall.
Two in five (40%) of victims whose crime was reported to police were dissatisfied with police response, sharing experiences of cases not being taken seriously or leads not actively pursued. Dissatisfaction cut across all victim groups, with a particularly concerning trend emerging for disabled victims.
Nearly half (45%) of disabled victims were dissatisfied. They were also less likely to report a crime to the police again – as were younger people and certain ethnic groups, increasing the risk for a cycle of under-reporting. This is particularly concerning as evidence suggests that disabled victims are more likely to have crimes committed against them.
Experiences of police
The report finds that while victims’ experiences of police are mixed, they could be improved by more thorough and timely investigations and better communication. The headline findings are:
- 40% of respondents were dissatisfied with the police response to the crime.
- 46% of respondents disagreed that they were kept regularly informed by police about the investigation.
- Only 30% of respondents agreed that the police investigated their allegations thoroughly.
- 71% of respondents said they would report a crime to the police again.
Victims’ services
The report concludes that victims’ services can be invaluable. However, it also finds that more victims need to be referred and timely and tailored support should be available to all victims. The main themes are:
- 15% of respondents told us they recalled being referred or self-referring themselves to victims’ services.
- 21% of those referred agreed that they had to wait a long time to receive help from victims’ services.
- 15% of those referred disagreed that the support they received from victims’ services was tailored to their needs.
Experiences of courts and CPS
Again the report finds that victims’ experiences of the courts and Crown Prosecution Service vary considerably. Overall, they could be improved with fewer delays and better provision of support and information.
- 83% of those who had attended court, said they would attend again.
- 33% of respondents agreed that they had to wait too long for the case to come to trial.
- 25% of the respondents disagreed that victims are given enough support during the court process.
- 30% of respondents disagreed that they were kept well informed about the progress of the case.
Overall impressions of the CJS
The most concerning finding of this landmark report is that most victims lack confidence in the fairness and effectiveness of the criminal justice system. Only
- 38% of respondents were confident the criminal justice system was fair.
- 27% of respondents were confident the criminal justice system was effective.
- 23% of respondents were confident that they could receive justice by reporting a crime.
The victims’ code
In recent times, there has been a lot of Government attention on the Victims’ Code of Rights. However, the survey finds that only a small minority of victims were aware of the Code and the rights it gives them:
- 19% of respondents had heard of the Victims’ Code of Practice.
- 8% of respondents were aware of the Victims’ Right to Review (VRR).
Recommendations
The report contains 15 recommendations that are grouped into three overarching aims and are designed the improve victims’ experiences after they have suffered from a crime. These recommendations are focused on three key objectives:
- • Improve the delivery of Victims’ Code rights.
By implementing a robust monitoring mechanism.- By ensuring relevant agencies have suitable training to meet their Code obligations.
- By updating the Victims’ Code to include victims of persistent anti-social behaviour.
- Improve victims’ experiences of support services.
- By ensuring commissioners provide a range of specialist services meeting all victims’ needs.
- By evaluating commissioning practices and the Victims Funding strategy.
- Improve victims’ experiences of the criminal justice system.
- By undertaking work to identify the impact of the court backlog on victims.
- By undertaking work to understand the barriers to some victims engaging with the criminal justice system.
- By collecting consistent data on victims and their personal characteristics.
