VBCSM7]: Survivor of teenage peer-sexual abuse in education setting

Theme: Victims Code and Accountability

01. Have you heard about the Victims Code before?

(before meaning before details of this consultation were provided)

Only 2 (16%) of the participants was aware of the Victims Code prior to this consultation event and the documents that were sent in advance for it. The knowledge of the code for VBCSM5 came through via the Police during the investigation but its was limited to what the code actually stated, whereas VBCSM9 was aware of it through newspaper article. All other participants only became aware of it through this consultation.

This lack of awareness was a source of anger and frustration as VBCSM4 pointed out that at no point did the Police, CPS give him any understanding of it and further adds to a feeling as a victim of child sexual abuse that that he was treated differently because he disclosed his past experiences as a victim whilst he was an adult in prison and only seen as so.

Some of the participants stated a sense of confusion between ‘Victims Code’ and ‘Victims Rights’ as there was a strong sense that a code is something that could be worked by but not required, whereas a ‘right’ is something fundamental that is yours as a citizen of the UK. There was 100% agreement from all participants that the ‘code’ should be ‘rights’ and enshrined in law with everyone in the UK understanding what it is and its theirs as citizens in the UK.

There was some discussion about the uncomfortableness with the use of the word ‘Victim’ in the title of a ‘code’ or ‘rights’ with reflections from individuals that:

a) The word victim feels like its a title that is used always and “I’m a survivor not a victim” b) The word victim feels like it’s the right phrasing as “The crime happened to me so I am a victim of that crime, it’s like I went from denial to victimhood and that’s movement” c) The word victim is always attached the Criminal Justice System and a query on how encompassing is that for those that don’t report? d) It’s a word that “I find unpleasant as an official once referred to me as ‘one of these victims” which is tinged with so much negativity and lack of value

The fact that so few people had even heard of the code and even those that did there was no substance to the awareness brought about discussion and reflections on victims/survivors expect and deserve better – if there is guidelines, code, law etc for victims then they should be better informed.

VBCSM9 stated that there is a ‘need for professionalism’ in the Criminal Justice System and wider agreement by all that victims need to be front and centre of the process, with as VBCSM6 put it, “every person in the CJS, who VBCSM6ies responsibility for the treatment of victims/survivors, must be ‘top draw” .

A suggestion from VBCSM1 was presented that the low level of awareness of the code may be down to training within the Police as it’s the Police that put us as ‘Victims’ and that those