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<p>The Government continues to support the provision of good quality, victim-focussed
restorative justice to help victims cope and recover from the effects of crime.</p><p>Under
the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime (Victims’ Code), all victims have the right
to receive information about how to access restorative justice services in their local
area.</p><p>The new Victims’ Code, which was published in November last year and came
into force on 1 April this year, includes information which explains what restorative
justice is and how it works. As part of the launch of the new Code, the Ministry of
Justice engaged in publicity to raise awareness of the Code and victims’ rights therein.
Criminal justice agencies also used internal communications to raise awareness of
victims’ rights among practitioners.</p><p>The Ministry of Justice funds Police and
Crime Commissioners (PCCs) to provide victim support services including commissioning
restorative justice services to meet local need. Individual PCCs determine the capacity
of restorative justice services required and the model of service appropriate for
their area. PCCs are also able to utilise other funding streams outside of their MoJ
grant for restorative justice.</p><p>In addition to the PCC commissioned schemes,
the Government-funded national Homicide Service includes access to restorative justice
services as part of the package of support it provides to families bereaved by homicide.
Further restorative justice capacity is also made available in the youth justice system
and by HM Prison and Probation Service.</p>
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