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<p /> <p>The Government is committed to putting victims and witnesses first in the
criminal justice system and ensuring that they have access to high quality support
to help them to cope with and, as far as is possible, recover from the impacts of
crime. That is why we implemented a new “Victims’ Code” in December 2013, which gives
victims of crime clearer entitlements from criminal justice agencies and better tailors
services to individual need.</p><p>The Government appointed Baroness Newlove as Victims’
Commissioner on 21<sup>st</sup> December 2012. She is committed to making a difference
for victims and improving their experience of the criminal justice system.</p><p>
</p><p>The MoJ published a witness charter at the end of 2013, clearly setting out
the standards of service witnesses can expect at all stages, and has brought in a
range of special measures to support victims and witnesses to give their best evidence
and to help reduce some of the anxiety of attending court. This includes, giving evidence
by live video-link, the use of screens in court, and the use of an intermediary to
help a witness understand the questions they are being asked and to give their answers
accurately.</p><p> </p><p>In our July 2014 update to the “Transforming the CJS: Strategy
and Action Plan”, one of our main priorities is to improve the experience of victims
and witnesses in the CJS. This means supporting victims through the CJS process and
making fair and respectful treatment of victims and witnesses the norm.</p><p> </p><p>In
September 2014, the Government published a document outlining its commitment to victims.
This outlines five commitments to help victims of crime navigate the criminal justice
system, access the information and support they need, protect vulnerable victims and
witnesses in court, and to guarantee their rights in law.</p><p>More money than ever
before will be available for services to support victims of crime, with a potential
total budget of up to £100m per year, an increase from £40m in 2009/10 and doubled
from £50m in 2010/11. The majority of services being funded will be commissioned locally
by Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) whilst the MoJ continues to commission some
services nationally:</p><p>Since 1<sup>st</sup> October 2014, PCCs have been responsible
for commissioning the majority of victims’ services (including victim-initiated restorative
justice) for their areas, as they are best placed to understand the needs of their
local communities. Details of the funding that the MoJ has provided to PCCs can be
found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/victims-and-witnesses-funding-awards#police-and-crime-commissioners-funding-for-victims"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/victims-and-witnesses-funding-awards#police-and-crime-commissioners-funding-for-victims</a></p><p>
</p><p>The MoJ continues to nationally commission some victims’ services. The Female
Rape Support Fund will provide £4.4m per year in funding to 86 centres until at least
March 2016. Under this fund, the Government has now met its commitment to commission
15 new rape support centres.</p><p> </p><p>The MoJ has re-commissioned the national
Homicide Service, which became operational on 1<sup>st</sup> October 2014. This service
supports families bereaved by murder or manslaughter after 2010. The MoJ is also in
the process of re-commissioning the Court based Witness Service and has recently announced
a £0.65m grant for 2014/15, and a further £0.65m in 2015/16, for the provision of
dedicated support for male victims of rape and sexual violence.</p><p> </p><p>By March
2015, a new ‘Victims’ Information Service’ will be set up. This will include a helpline
to make sure victims are guided to nearby support; and a website where victims can
find information about services in their area, restorative justice, the criminal justice
system, and their rights under the Victims’ Code and Witness Charter.</p>
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