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<p>Under the Code of Practice for Victim’s of Crime, all victims have the right to
be notified of the offender’s sentence and receive a short explanation about the meaning
and effect of the sentence. We committed in the Victims Strategy published last year
to review the process for informing victims of offenders’ sentences and what they
mean and we are currently consulting on proposals for revising the code, which will
be followed by a consultation on a draft revised code.</p><p> </p><p>The statutory
National Probation Service Victim Contact Scheme is available to victims of violent
and sexual offences, where the offender receives a sentence of 12 months or more.
The Scheme provides victims with information and advice about the criminal justice
process – including explaining the sentence to them and ensuring that they are informed
of the offender’s release.</p><p> </p><p>In such cases, victims also have the statutory
right to request conditions that can be attached to the offender's release licence.
These can include a no contact condition, and an exclusion zone covering areas where
the victim lives, works, or travels too frequently. The offender risks being recalled
to prison should they breach any of their licence conditions.</p><p> </p><p>Offenders
who have committed an eligible sexual or violent offence and sentenced to 12 months
or more imprisonment will be managed under the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements
(MAPPA). Under MAPPA, the Prison, Probation and Police Services are required to work
together to assess and manage the risks presented by such offenders. Thus, the MAPPA
plan for managing the risk to such offenders must include measures to protect previous
victims from further harm.</p><p> </p><p>Additionally, Multi Agency Risk Assessment
Conferences (MARACs) develop strategies to help and protect domestic abuse victims
at high risk of murder or serious harm. Agencies including the Police, providers of
probation services, health and child protection, as well as Independent Domestic Violence
Advisers, share information and develop actions to protect the victim.</p><p> </p><p>In
respect of appealing sentencing decisions, the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme enables
anyone, including victims, the ability to ask the Attorney General to consider referring
sentences for certain offences which he believes to be unduly lenient, to the Court
of Appeal. The offences covered by the scheme are indictable only offences that are
heard in the Crown Court, and certain triable either way offences when heard in the
Crown Court. The scheme has a statutory 28-day time limit for referrals to be made.
The scheme ensures there is a route for victims, their families, and the public, to
question sentences imposed by the court for certain cases.</p><p> </p><p>If a case
is referred, it will be a matter for the Court of Appeal to determine whether the
sentence should remain as it is, be increased, or whether guidance should be issued
for future cases.</p><p> </p>
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