Victims Minister Responds to RJ4All: Victims’ Right to Restorative Justice
Press Release
For Immediate Release
On 3rd May 2024, the Minister for Victims and Safeguarding, Laura Farris MP, responded to RJ4All’s concerns and recommendations, as these had been raised in RJ4All’s Open Letter to Lord Bellamy. The RJ4All International Institute is preparing a thorough response to the Minister’s letter, which we will be sharing in due course.
The government’s key points can be summarised as below:
Victims’ entitlement to be provided with information on restorative justice when a crime is reported will be strengthened.
There will be a consultation on revising the Victims’ Code entitlement for victims to be given information about restorative justice at the point of conviction.
The government accepts that effective and timely communication between criminal justice agencies and victims is important in considering restorative justice.
The government rejects the proposal for victims to be able to hold criminal agencies accountable should they fail to honour the Victims’ Code.
The government rejects the proposal to include the judiciary and the Crown Prosecution Service in the Victims’ Code.
There is a commitment to include a statutory requirement for all criminal justice agencies to ensure that procedures are in place for a victim to complain if they believe that the agency has failed to comply with the Victims’ Code with the possibility of escalating to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman or through a judicial review.
There is a commitment to increase transparency of the Victims’ Code’s implementation through better data collection and by involving victims.
Clause 15 of the Victims Bill has now been drafted in more general terms suggesting that it can cover restorative justice practitioners.
The government agrees with RJ4All that there should be no blanket exclusions on restorative justice for any type of offence including domestic and sexual violence.
“Clearly, there are some ‘wins’ for restorative justice and victims, but still a long way to go. RJ4All has worked closely with all parties to put evidence-based arguments forward, and we will continue to do so in consultation with restorative justice practitioners, harmed and harming parties. Progress is process, not an outcome, and I want to thank all Peers, MPs and individuals who supported our campaign so far”.
RJ4All’s Founder and Director
Ends.
For further inquiries and media contact:
Dr. Theo Gavrielides
Direct no +44(0)7732569000 office no: +44(0)7708758600
RJ4All’s mission is to inform policy design remains ongoing, employing a multi-faceted approach that integrates expert insights, community experiences, and public campaigns. By leveraging these diverse perspectives, RJ4All aims to elevate discussions about restorative justice and ensure its prominence in policy conversations.
Information for editors
Restorative Justice for All International Institute (RJ4All)
RJ4All is a charitable international institute with a mission to address power abuse, conflict, and poverty through the use of restorative justice values and practices. We do this through a combination of restorative justice projects delivered both internationally and locally at the RJ4All Rotherhithe Community Centre in London. We advance community cohesion, equality, human rights, and redistribute power by supporting civil society and delivering social justice and poverty relief projects, educational programmes and high-quality volunteering opportunities for marginalised groups.
For more information: https://rj4all.org/
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