LGA responds to publication of Draft Victims Bill

Responding to the publication of the draft Victims Bill, Cllr Nesil Caliskan, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board, said: “While our ultimate ambition should be to prevent these crimes from occurring in the first place, it is positive to see Government’s commitment to improving services and amplifying victims voices in the criminal justice process through the publication of the draft Victims bill.

“This draft Bill focuses on particular victim support services such as domestic abuse, serious violence and sexual violence services, so it is important that the Government’s other strategies, guidance, and legislation on these issues sits cohesively with the draft Victims’ Law Bill.

“It is also vital to ensure that the Bill does not lose sight of the need to ensure victims of all crimes are supported effectively.

“A locally-led approach, which provides local areas with the flexibility and resources to identify local priorities and take action, is one of the best ways to improve collaboration but it is essential that any proposed new duties are clarified by government and funded in full.”