Victims' Rights Bill 2008

Public bill · Private Member · Presented

The Victims’ Rights Bill 2008 would give people affected by crime or anti-social behaviour clearer rights to respectful treatment, support and regular information about investigations and court cases. Victims could explain the physical, emotional and financial impact of an offence to the sentencing court, while victims of serious violence, sexual offences and child exploitation could give their views on bail, parole, release, escape or deportation. It would establish an independent Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime, introduce a victims’ charter, fund support organisations and allow complaints where rights were not respected. Courts could also protect victims’ addresses and prohibit alleged offenders from intimidating or harassing them, although failure to provide these rights would not automatically lead to compensation.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to make provision for the rights of victims of crime and anti-social behaviour; to give effect to the European Union Council Framework Decision of the 15th March 2001 on the standing of victims in criminal proceedings; to specify information to be given to victims; to provide for the proper treatment of victims; making provision for the furnishing to the courts of victim impact statements; providing for specific notices to be furnished to victims relating to alleged and convicted offenders; providing for the establishment of the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime; providing for the adoption of a victims' charter; making provision for the procedures applicable to address the violation of victims' rights; providing for the making of Protection of Persons Orders to prohibit the intimidation by an alleged offender of victims of alleged offences; and to provide for matters connected therewith

Last updated 12 April 2018