Police criticised over handling of stalking victim shot dead by husband – The Guardian

‘A police force has been criticised for “weaknesses and shortcomings” in the way it handled fears raised by a stalking victim before she was shot dead by her estranged husband.’

Full story

The Guardian, 29th September 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Hoax child death caller jailed – The Guardian

Posted September 24th, 2014 in news, sentencing, telecommunications, victims by sally

‘A hoax caller who phoned families at random and claimed their relatives had died has been jailed for four months.’

Full story

The Guardian, 23rd September 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Disability hate crime: Attacks on people with disabilities ‘must be taken more seriously’ – The Independent

‘The former director of public prosecutions has said attacks on disabled people are not being recognised as hate crime, letting criminals off with lighter sentences.’

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The Independent, 21st September 2014

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Court to decide on domestic abuse legal aid challenge – BBC News

Posted September 19th, 2014 in domestic violence, evidence, family courts, legal aid, news, victims by sally

‘The High Court is due to decide whether to allow a challenge to rules that determine whether victims of domestic abuse get legal aid in family cases.’

Full story

BBC News, 19th September 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Victims’ Rights, the EU Charter, and Passport Confiscation – the Human Rights Roundup – UK Human Rights Blog

‘In recent news, the government outlines proposals for increased rights for the victims of crime, as well as for the revocation and confiscation of passports for ISIS fighters returning to the UK. In other news, the legality of the EU Charter comes back to haunt Chris Grayling once again.’

Full story

UK Human Rights Blog, 15th September 2014

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Sabrina Moss killers jailed for 37 years – BBC News

Posted September 15th, 2014 in conspiracy, grievous bodily harm, murder, news, sentencing, victims, weapons by sally

‘Three drug dealers have each been jailed for a minimum of 37 years for murdering nursery school teacher Sabrina Moss on her 24th birthday.’

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BBC News, 12th September 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

A bold new vision for the treatment of victims – Ministry of Justice

‘Victims’ rights will be enshrined in law as part of a major set of reforms announced by Justice Secretary Chris Grayling today.’

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 14th September 2014

Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice

New stalking legislation helps to bring thousands more prosecutions as CPS and ACPO launch protocol to improve service to stalking victims – Crown Prosecution Service

‘As stalking-related prosecutions rise, prosecutors and police are being reminded to focus on the devastating impact these crimes have on victims. After the first full year of operation, new stalking legislation has seen 743 cases brought to court – cases which may not have been charged under previous law.’

Full press release

Crown Prosecution Service, 11th September 2014

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Child witness court video evidence expansion planned – BBC News

Posted September 10th, 2014 in children, Crown Court, evidence, news, sexual offences, trials, victims, video recordings, witnesses by sally

‘Changes to allow children and abuse victims in England and Wales to film their evidence before a trial begins should be brought in “as fast as possible”, a justice minister has said.’

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BBC News, 9th September 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

‘Monstrous child sexual predator’ John Laister jailed – BBC News

‘An ex-Sunday school teacher who raped and sexually abused young girls under his care has been jailed for 14 years.’

Full story

BBC News, 9th September 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

New press self-regulation body ‘not a fake’, says Ipso chairman – BBC News

Posted September 8th, 2014 in complaints, inquiries, interception, media, news, ombudsmen, privacy, standards, victims by sally

‘The chairman of a new press self-regulation body set up in the wake of the phone-hacking scandal says he wants to show critics it is not a “fake”.’

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BBC News, 8th September 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

South Yorkshire Police crime recording criticised in new report – BBC News

Posted August 29th, 2014 in child abuse, news, police, reports, sexual grooming, sexual offences, victims by sally

‘The police force at the centre of the Rotherham child abuse scandal is still failing to record crimes against children properly, a report has said.’

Full story

BBC News, 28th August 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

How can we prevent another Rotherham? – The Guardian

Posted August 29th, 2014 in child abuse, news, police, sexual grooming, sexual offences, victims by sally

‘It’s not about individuals. Abuse scandals on the same scale will happen again unless we root out systemic failings in Britain – Keir Starmer.’

Full story

The Guardian, 28th August 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Victims’ right to review – could it affect the criminal justice system? – Halsbury’s Law Exchange

Posted August 28th, 2014 in appeals, criminal justice, Crown Prosecution Service, news, victims by sally

‘Several criminals have been found guilty after victims of crime successfully appealed against the CPS’ original decisions not to bring charges. What has been the effect of the introduction of the “right to review scheme”? And could it affect the criminal justice system?’

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Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 28th August 2014

Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk

Rotherham sex abuse scandal: Victims seeking millions in compensation – Daily Telegraph

‘Victims of child sex exploitation in Rotherham launch a class action against the local council and police for failings that allowed years of abuse.’

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Daily Telegraph, 27th August 2014

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Rape case warning over Tory plan to rewrite human rights law – The Guardian

Posted August 28th, 2014 in human rights, news, rape, victims by sally

‘Victims of rape may experience a decline in the standards of police investigations if David Cameron presses ahead with plans to scrap the Human Rights Act and loosen Britain’s commitments under the European convention on human rights, a new campaign warns.’

Full story

The Guardian, 27th August 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Victim of trafficking can claim compensation despite illegal entry to UK – UK Human Rights Blog

‘The Supreme Court has ruled that victims may in some circumstance recover damages from their traffickers. Overturning the judgment of the Court of Appeal that the illegality of the underlying contract ruled out the claim for compensation, the majority held that to permit the trafficker to escape liability would be “an affront” to public policy. The judgment has far reaching implications in this area because, by its very nature, human trafficking often involves illegality.’

Full story

UK Human Rights Blog, 27th August 2014

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Criminals jailed by magistrates to pay victim surcharge – BBC News

Posted August 8th, 2014 in imprisonment, magistrates, news, restorative justice, sentencing, victims by sally

‘Criminals jailed by magistrates’ courts in England and Wales will no longer be excused from victim surcharge payments by serving extra prison time.’

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BBC News, 8th August 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

What is the point of victim impact statements? – The Independent

Posted August 6th, 2014 in bereavement, confidentiality, data protection, evidence, judges, murder, news, parole, victims by sally

‘A parole judge has apologised to bereaved parents for saying that victim impact statements make no difference. So what are they really for? Paul Gallagher finds out.’

Full story

The Independent, 6th August 2014

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Judge says victim statements make ‘no difference’ – Daily Telegraph

Posted August 5th, 2014 in judges, news, parole, victims by sally

‘Judge apologises for comments overheard by bereaved family at a parole hearing but insists their statements cannot affect judgements over prisoners’ risk.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 5th August 2014

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk