VBCSM8]: Survivor of childhood sexual abuse in sport and leisure setting

with lived experience of victimhood are perfectly placed to be able to aid the training and increasing of knowledge to those professionals within the system. VBCSM2 agreed and stated that he the question so often how the responsible official “could even understand the nuances without lived experience?”, something that VBCSM8, VBCSM11, VBCSM3 and VBCSM4 strongly agreed with.

02. Do you think the 4 principles that underpin the Victims Code capture what victims need? If not then what do they leave out?

VBCSM1 reflected that the 4 principles feel like ‘the right principles’ for him as they are loose enough but couldn’t agree that they go far enough, stating that it felt like something was missing, maybe less loose?

VBCSM5 claims that they are good, however ‘loose’. He brings up the need for allotted times in which a victim/survivor can provide feedback regarding the process they are undergoing. He asserts that this should be offered regardless of whether the victim/survivor perceives any problems.

VBCSM1 agrees, stating that the principles remain ‘wobbly’ and that “Principles ought to underpin the legal rights” and these ought to be more ‘pinned down’. He refers to VBCSM5’ example of regular victim/survivor feedback as one such thing that must be pinned down.

VBCSM11 concurs stating that there must be a better underpinning ‘structure’ and that the language needs to be tightened up.

The overall feeling was that the principles were in essence correct but the language felt too loose and needed some more tightening… they didn’t feel SMART, there was something about them needing more of a time stamp to them…

e.g.

• “Ensuring victims are informed through the Criminal Justice process” should be something more like “Ensuring victims are informed with regularity and clarity through the Criminal Justice process by mutual agreement”

• “Ensuring victims are supported (regardless of whether they report the crime)” should be “Ensuring victims are supported (regardless of whether they report the crime) by authorities and services commissioned to offer general or specialist support”

• “Ensuring victims’ voices are heard (i.e. that they are offered the opportunity to make a victim personal statement)” could be “Ensuring victims’ voices are heard (i.e. that they are offered the opportunity to make a victim personal statement at the earliest opportunity regardless of engagement in the Criminal Justice System)”