Seeking justice for victims of antisocial behaviour

Published: Wednesday, January 22nd, 2025


This is a blog by our Communications and Campaigns Manager, Keeva Baxter.

 

The Home Office have recently published a news story outlining how victims of criminal antisocial behaviour are going to receive more support to facilitate their healing. The announcement highlights the Government’s ‘Plan for Change’ which will implement new measures as a response to the Victims’ Commissioner’s recommendations

Victims of antisocial behaviour often struggle to get answers and are left without ‘justice’ following what can be a life-changing series of acts of harm. The primary aim of the new measures is to ensure that victims of ASB get more information about the progression of their case and can request a review if they feel it has not been adequately dealt with. This will ultimately make the justice system more “accessible” for people impacted by this crime type. 

A single point of contact (SPOC) for each case will now be in place to ensure that victims of ASB receive information from all of the various agencies involved in the most efficient way. Victims of ASB will be given the opportunity to “shape action plans to tackle the antisocial behaviour they have been victims of”. The Government also recommends that an independent chair will oversee case reviews. 

Where can Restorative Justice come in?

At the end of last year, Why me? responded to a call for evidence from the Home Office, urging them to use Restorative Justice to help people impacted by ASB. In October 2024, we also shared some key considerations when using Restorative Justice for ASB, and explored how it has changed the lives of people who have either been victim of, or have committed, antisocial behaviour. 

As the Victims Commissioner rightly points out “It is so important victims of ASB are given a voice and are listened to.” Whilst the new measures are a good first step in keeping victims of ASB up to date and ensuring better handling of grievances, without giving each of them a chance to explain what it is that they want, their needs will not be truly met. 

For many, there may be a fear of the ASB recurring, or happening to others in their community. They may also feel that the perpetrators do not have a full understanding of the impact caused by what is typically seen as a lower level offence. Finally many will be left wondering why they were targeted, and what motivated the behaviour. The chance to engage in a process that gives them a voice, allows them to ask these questions directly and encourage the perpetrator to change their behaviour could be transformative. Through Restorative Justice, they can do all of those things. 

We believe that Restorative Justice is crucial in tackling antisocial behaviour and will continue to lobby the Home Office to ensure wider implementation for these crime types. 

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