Women’s Aid responds to announcement of Victims’ Code

 

Farah Nazeer, chief executive at Women’s Aid, said

“Today, the Victims’ Code comes into force, as the government sets out 12 key rights for crime victims. These rights are important because survivors of domestic abuse need to know that, as a victim of crime, they will get the support and safety they need at every stage of the criminal and justice process.

Survivors need to know they will be free from harm and fear from the moment they report an abuser to the point he is released from prison, and beyond. We are glad that this has been clarified because we know that domestic abuse does not end when a relationship ends. Consistent and robust communication from the police and criminal justice agencies is essential at every stage of the process to ensure that survivors are safe and protected.

However, this Code does not tackle the wider barriers survivors face in accessing justice, or guarantee that their needs will be met in specialist women’s domestic abuse services. We want to see this Code made accessible to every survivor who needs it – including in different languages, British Sign Language and easy read versions.

The government must also back the promise of these rights with a guarantee of access to support. The £165 million that the government announced for domestic abuse support services in 2021-22 falls over £200 million short of the £393 million that Women’s Aid estimates is needed for specialist women’s domestic abuse support services alone. This shortfall will continue to mean that specialist services – particularly those for Black and minoritised women, disabled women and LGBT survivors – have to turn survivors away.”

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