Victims of crime failed by the justice system
This is a blog by our Communications and Campaigns Officer, Isabelle Gius.
Last month, the Victims’ Commissioner published the results of her annual Victims’ Survey. Based on the voices of 3,048 victims of crime across England and Wales, the report explores victims’ experiences with and perceptions of the Criminal Justice System over the past three years. The survey is the largest study ever undertaken by the Commissioner’s office, and the report reveals the urgent need for change in order to deliver a Criminal Justice System that is truly victim-centred.
The survey results make it clear that the Criminal Justice System is broken for victims. 73% of victims aren’t confident that reporting a crime will lead to justice. Only 38% of victims were confident that the Criminal Justice System is fair, and even less – 27% – thought that it is effective. Two-fifths (40%) of victims whose crime was reported to police were dissatisfied with the police response. This dissatisfaction cut across victim groups, but especially for disabled victims. To quote the Victims’ Commissioner, Baroness Newlove, “this poor treatment leaves victims feeling like an afterthought.”
With victims feeling silenced, overlooked, and unsupported, Restorative Justice is a powerful tool to bring them back into the conversation. According to Ministry of Justice research on Restorative Justice, “85 per cent of victims and 80 per cent of offenders were very or quite satisfied” with the restorative conference, and “all the randomised trials show[ed] at least three-quarters of victims very or quite satisfied.” That’s more than double the satisfaction rate with the police response!
Worryingly, just as the Victims’ Survey showcases the need for Restorative Justice more than ever, it also suggests that the vast majority of victims are unable to access the life-changing support that they are entitled to.
The survey found that 83% of victims do not recall being referred to victim support services at all. Less than one-fifth (19%) of victims were aware of their rights under the Victims’ Code of Practice. Restorative Justice is one of those rights.
According to the Victims’ Code, all victims of crime have the right to receive information about Restorative Justice. At Why me?, we have long known that this is far from the reality on the ground, and the recent survey findings echo what we hear from our ambassadors and partners. People affected by crime can’t choose Restorative Justice if they don’t know about it, so these findings should spur the restorative sector into action.
The report concludes with 15 recommendations to improve delivery of the Victims’ Code, improve victims’ experiences of support services, and improve their experiences of the Criminal Justice System overall.
The new Labour Government was “elected on a promise to deliver a justice system that puts the needs of victims first,” but there is much work to be done. The next steps out of this mess requires putting people affected by crime at the centre of the solution. Restorative Justice is an opportunity that delivers on multiple fronts.
As the Victims’ Commissioner commented, “We must end the culture where victims’ rights are regarded as ‘optional’ extras or ‘nice to haves’ instead of a core part of delivering justice.”
Restorative Justice is a crucial part of the process to deliver a more just, effective, and victim-centred culture. Victims deserve better.
