Victim Support responds to Shadow Justice Secretary's speech to Labour Party Conference
Published: 03 October 2012
- Date:
- 03 October 2012
Commenting on the Shadow Justice Secretary's speech at the Labour Party Conference today, Chief Executive of Victim Support, Javed Khan, said: "I'm pleased to hear the Shadow Justice Secretary speak out against the idea of cutting government funding for victim services. Working on the frontline we know how essential it is for organisations like ours to be helping people to cope and recover after crime.
"We're pleased too that Sadiq Khan MP praised police and crime commissioner candidates for pledging to ring-fence local funding for victim services. What we need to hear now is a clear plan for how both these funding safeguards will be put into action across the board if the Labour Party comes to power.
"We very much welcome the Labour party's commitment to promote more restorative justice through the courts. This approach to justice is good for victims and helps reduce reoffending when it's done well and centred on the needs of the victim.
"We also support the idea of a minister for mental health in the justice system. Being a victim of crime can have a big impact on people's state of mind, and those with mental health problems are particularly vulnerable as victims of crime. This new role could have a big impact on improving the welfare of both groups."