Victims’ Bill will have ‘limited effect’ without proper funding – report – The Independent

Posted September 30th, 2022 in bills, budgets, criminal justice, government departments, immigration, news, victims by michael

‘The Government’s plans for a Victims’ Bill will have a “limited effect” unless more funding is provided, according to MPs.’

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The Independent, 30th September 2022

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Crown court roll-out of pre-recorded evidence in England and Wales complete – BBC News

Posted September 27th, 2022 in Crown Court, evidence, news, rape, trafficking in human beings, victims, video recordings by sally

‘The use of pre-recorded evidence from victims and witnesses of crimes such as rape has been rolled out across all crown courts in England and Wales.’

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BBC News, 26th September 2022

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Domestic abuse survivors at risk from councils’ failure to rehouse them – The Guardian

‘People fleeing domestic abuse are being put in danger by local authorities who fail to provide housing for months on end, despite a law which should prioritise them, a new study shows.’

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The Guardian, 23rd September 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Alex Belfield: Former BBC presenter jailed for stalking – BBC News

Posted September 16th, 2022 in BBC, harassment, imprisonment, internet, news, sentencing, stalking, victims by sally

‘A former BBC radio presenter found guilty of stalking four people including broadcaster Jeremy Vine has been jailed for five and a half years.’

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BBC News, 16th September 2022

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Barristers accuse ministers of rushing release of pre-recorded video evidence – The Guardian

‘Barristers have accused ministers of ignoring a crisis in the criminal justice system by continuing to roll out pre-recorded video evidence for rape survivors in England and Wales amid a strike by advocates. The policy, allowing complainants of offences including modern slavery to be cross-examined before trial in front of a limited number of people, was extended to five more crown courts on Friday, taking the total to 63. Three-quarters of courts are covered and all will be by the end of the month.’

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The Guardian, 9th September 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Domestic abuse: Forensic marker spray helps victims rebuild lives – BBC News

Posted September 8th, 2022 in domestic violence, forensic science, news, police, victims by sally

‘A domestic abuse victim is slowly rebuilding her life thanks in part to a forensic marker spray she has been given by West Yorkshire Police. The gadget is to be used if her abuser shows up, and other police forces are under growing pressure to adopt similar measures.’

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BBC News, 8th September 2022

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Stuart Wallace: Human Rights Claims and Overseas Military Operations: Will Clause 14 of the Bill of Rights Bill Really Limit Victims’ Access to British Courts? – UK Constitutional Law Association

Posted September 6th, 2022 in armed forces, bills, international relations, news, treaties, victims by sally

‘Clause 14 of the Bill of Rights Bill, currently progressing through the UK parliament, introduces a total ban on individuals bringing a human rights claim, or relying on a Convention right, in relation to overseas military operations. As I have argued elsewhere, this is a retrograde development in the law. Thankfully, the clause may never enter into force. This is because under clause 39(3) of the Bill the Secretary of State may only bring clause 14 into force if the Secretary of State “is satisfied (whether on the basis of provision contained in an Act passed after this Act or otherwise) that doing so is consistent with the United Kingdom’s obligations under the Convention”. There is an implicit recognition here that, in its current form, implementing clause 14 would not be compatible with the UK’s ECHR obligations and that it would need something else to happen to make it compatible. There are three possible options here.’

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UK Constitutional Law Association, 6th September 2022

Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org

Stephen Port: murder victims’ families say Met ‘insensitive’ to make settlements public – The Guardian

‘The Metropolitan police have been accused of “insensitivity” over their announcement that they have settled compensation claims with relatives of some of the victims murdered by the serial killer Stephen Port.’

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The Guardian, 30th August 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Dad tells of teen daughter’s long wait for rape trial – BBC News

‘The father of a 15-year-old girl, who has been waiting two years for her rape trial, has told the BBC about the devastating impact of court delays.’

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BBC News, 31st August 2022

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Court ‘chaos’ seeing criminals go free, victims’ commissioner warns, as barristers strike – The Independent

‘Court “chaos” is resulting in criminals going free, the victims’ commissioner has warned, as barristers move to an all-out strike. Record backlogs, which are already seeing cases scheduled late in 2024, are expected to be worsened significantly by a continuous walkout starting on Tuesday that will bring most crown court hearings to a halt in England and Wales.’

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The Independent, 29th August 2022

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Disclosure: a guide to seeking Norwich Pharmacal orders – OUT-LAW.com

Posted August 26th, 2022 in disclosure, news, third parties, victims by sally

‘A Norwich Pharmacal Order (NPO) is a disclosure order available in England and Wales which allows information to be obtained from third parties who have become ‘mixed up’ in wrongdoing, helping victims to investigate, pursue those ultimately responsible and recover their losses.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 25th August 2022

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Barristers vote for all-out strike from 5 September – The Independent

‘Criminal defence barristers are to go on an all-out strike from next week, bringing the majority of crown court cases to a grinding halt.’

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The Independent, 22nd August 2022

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Somerset murderer’s parole application under review – BBC News

Posted August 22nd, 2022 in married persons, murder, news, parole, victims by sally

‘A man sentenced to life in prison for murdering his wife is to have his parole application considered.’

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BBC News, 20th August 2022

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Will Trial Rape Courts Address Low Conviction Rates? – Each Other

Posted August 16th, 2022 in courts, domestic violence, news, pilot schemes, prosecutions, rape, victims by sally

‘A year after the Government’s Rape Review, a pilot scheme was announced that would establish three specialist rape courts in England. But with concerns from the sector about access to justice, survivors’ welfare and funding: Will specialist rape courts address low conviction rates and support survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence?’

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Each Other, 12th August 2022

Source: eachother.org.uk

Almost 1.5m England and Wales crime victims opt not to pursue cases – The Guardian

Posted August 12th, 2022 in criminal justice, news, police, political parties, prosecutions, statistics, victims by sally

‘Almost 1.5 million victims of crime in England and Wales have decided not to pursue their cases, feeding concern that public confidence in the criminal justice system has collapsed.’

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The Guardian, 12th August 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Infected blood scandal victims in line to get £100,000 – BBC News

Posted August 8th, 2022 in blood products, compensation, government departments, HIV, inquiries, news, victims by sally

‘Payments of £100,000 will be made to victims of the contaminated blood scandal, the government is expected to announce this week.’

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BBC News, 7th August 2022

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Home Office paid out £70m in compensation and legal costs last year – The Guardian

‘£25.1m was handed out to Windrush scandal victims and £12.7m to people wrongfully detained in immigration centres.’

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The Guardian, 5th August 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

New Guidance Will Help Modern Slavery Victims In Prison – Each Other

‘Victims of modern slavery are to receive better support in prison following a legal challenge which highlighted a lack of guidance for prison staff. The new guidance, to be issued later this year, will help prison staff support victims and potential victims of modern slavery who have been imprisoned under criminal powers.’

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Each Other, 4th August 2022

Source: eachother.org.uk

Today’s CPS figures show a very worrying trend for domestic abuse victims – Family Law

Posted August 2nd, 2022 in criminal justice, domestic violence, news, statistics, victims by sally

‘The Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Nicole Jacobs, has said that the latest CPS figures show a very worrying trend for domestic abuse victims.’

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Family Law, 29th July 2022

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

UK rape victim left feeling ‘suicidal’ after five-year wait for case to come to trial – The Guardian

‘A rape victim who will have been waiting five years by the time her case comes to court has said navigating the justice process has had a worse impact on her mental health than the crime itself, leaving her feeling “suicidal”.’

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The Guardian, 24th July 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com