The Victims Bill Consultation The Victims Bill consultation is the first significant step towards the passing of what is described as a landmark moment in a generation – the ‘Victims’ Law’, which will build on the foundations provided by the Victims’ Code to substantially improve victims’ experiences of the criminal justice system. The aim and commitment is that the new law will make a tangible difference to ensuring all victims of crime receive the support they need through and beyond the criminal justice process. This consultation will consider how we can make concrete improvements to victims’ experience of and confidence in the criminal justice system, and their support. The resulting legislation will be the cornerstone of our work across government to ensure that victims’ needs lie at the heart of the criminal justice system. The consultation asks questions across five key issues, focusing on: • • • • •
What victims should expect Performance and accountability The Victim Surcharge Community-based support services Improved advocacy support
This consultation is open to the public. We would be particularly interested to hear from victims of crime, organisations representing victims, the police, criminal justice practitioners, service providers, health care professionals, Police and Crime Commissioners, local authorities and community safety partnerships. Whilst Survivors Manchester is a provider of services to male survivors of sexual abuse, rape and sexual exploitation (along with their loved ones), as one of only four male specific organisations across the UK and a leader in the sector, the organisation commits to playing its part in disseminating knowledge gathered from formal research and more importantly, lived experience. This is a core component of Survivors Manchester’s charitable aims (aim 4) as follows:
To provide education, training and awareness raising campaigns around the issue of the sexual abuse and violation of males of all ages and backgrounds, whilst continuing to learn from our work and respond effectively to new knowledge and identified needs Survivors Manchester would like to thank the Ministry of Justice for their support in enabling the organisation to develop and facilitate this consultation project which means that the voices of male survivors are heard and useful to future understanding of male survivors needs.
