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Archived Press Releases 2006 7th May 2006

Trust Applauds Inquiry Into Victim's Rights

(7th May 2006)

The community organisation that has campaigned tirelessly for a better deal for victims of crime wholeheartedly supports a government decision to conduct an inquiry into victim’s rights.

The Sensible Sentencing Trust welcomed today’s announcement by the Justice and Electoral Select Committee, saying it signalled a turning point for victims and a step towards putting their rights ahead of criminals in the legal system.

"We have spent the past two years campaigning for a better deal for victims, and today it seems that might actually happen," said Trust spokesman, Garth McVicar.

Terms of reference for the inquiry include :

• Reviewing the legislation affecting victims, including the Victim’s Right’s Act
• Examining the effect of the current court system on victims
• Examining the concept that criminals owe a debt to individuals as well as society, including issues of compensation and reimbursement of costs
• Examining the place of restorative justice programmes in the criminal justice system and their impact on victims.

Last year, Mr McVicar took a number of victims and their families to speak to the committee about the impact crime and the justice system has had on them. It had been a traumatic process, but one he said they were prepared to go through if it meant victims would be given more help.

"For too long they have been second-class citizens and left to fend for themselves on the periphery of the justice system. Hopefully this inquiry will help to change that, but we must still campaign for more sweeping changes to the laws that govern the courts."

That would include an end to parole after only one-third of a sentence, tighter bail conditions for violent offenders and sex offenders, and changes to unfair disclosure laws that gave defence lawyers the upper hand.

"We have a long, long way to go yet before our justice system can actually begin to say it is delivering justice, but this decision to launch and inquiry is the first step in the right direction," said Mr McVicar.

For more information and to speak with victims and their families about the impact of this announcement, please contact:

Garth McVicar
National Spokesperson,
Sensible Sentencing Trust.