Victim Support's response to the Government’s 'Swift and sure justice' White Paper
Published: 16 July 2012
- Date:
- 13 July 2012
Responding to the Government's White Paper: 'Swift and sure justice: the Government's plans for reform of the criminal justice system', Javed Khan, Chief Executive of Victim Support, said:
"The justice system can be painfully slow. Many victims and witnesses tell us that waiting for a trial – or even just information about a case – is particularly stressful.
"We therefore welcome efforts to speed up the justice process, providing appropriate safeguards are introduced to ensure victims are never made to feel like a 'spare part', with all the focus being on dealing with the offender.
"Virtual courts have real potential for swift justice, and to benefit victims and witnesses as well as the justice system itself. However, we'd urge better communication with victims and witnesses to ensure they don’t feel 'left in the dark' about their cases – as so often happens now.
"Appropriate use of neighbourhood panels and other restorative approaches, designed with the interests of the victim in mind, could be beneficial. We are currently developing a new victim led restorative approach to justice, which we look forward to sharing with government and the new police and crime commissioners soon."