Government and Liberty agree: there is much that should be done to improve the way the system treats crime victims. But so far, the Government has promised much on the subject but delivered only measures to make criminal trials less safe. Today, Liberty publishes "The Rights of Crime Victims", a Manifesto for practical, positive change.

Government rhetoric suggests that the system needs 'rebalancing' by removing protections for fair trials - as if increasing the risks of convicting innocent people somehow helps crime victims. The Criminal Justice Bill attacks safeguards like jury trial, the ban on evidence of previous convictions (unless directly relevant) and the restrictions on tenuous hearsay evidence. But it ignores practical changes that could genuinely benefit victims. A leaflet, A Better Deal for Victims & Witnesses, offers some more welcome proposals - but the promised Victims & Witnesses Bill has yet to see the light of day.

Liberty's Manifesto goes further. The changes we seek include:


The creation of legally-enforceable rights for victims - so that the promises of the Victim's Charter have to be kept.

Better information - so victims are told about their rights and about the criminal justice system, and are kept informed of the progress of 'their' case by the police, CPS and courts, including court dates etc. Feeling ill-informed is one of the commonest complaints.

Action to eliminate insensitive treatment by criminal justice agencies. The professionals - police, CPS and courts - can all improve their approach to crime victims. And the harm done by endless court delays, inadequate court facilities and the lack of segregation between victims and defendants, must be dealt with. The police, in particular, are training staff better and using more family liaison officers; but there is still more work to do.

The appointment of an independent Commissioner for Victims - with substantially more powers than those suggested by Government. The Commissioner should monitor the above improvements, advise victims and support test cases - even initiating proceedings in the Commissioner's own name where necessary; deal with serious complaints; and scrutinise proposed legislation as the 'victims' voice'.


But the best way to help victims of crime is also the most obvious - and one studiously ignored by the Government's plans. Over 75% of crimes do not even lead to an arrest. That's simply about investigation and police resources - not about tampering with the fairness of criminal trials. Tackle those 4 million unsolved crimes - it's the biggest single way to help their victims.

John Wadham, director of Liberty, says:
"David Blunkett and I seem to agree: there is much more that can be done to help crime victims. But the Government must tackle the changes that will make a real difference to victims of crime, and not pretend that undermining the fair trials amounts to the same thing - it doesn't".

Anthony Forsyth, policy officer at Victim Support, says:
"We welcome Liberty's manifesto. Liberty has worked tirelessly to protect and promote human rights: we look forward to continuing to work with them in promoting the rights of victims of crime".


Our thanks to Victim Support for their help, recommendations and support during the preparation of this report.