In a landmark move for victims' rights, the government has announced that all victims of crime will, for the first time, be able to obtain sentencing remarks from the Crown Court completely free of charge. The change, revealed by Justice Minister Jake Richards, forms part of the Sentencing Bill which concludes its passage through the House of Commons this week.
A Long-Awaited Victory for Victims
This significant policy shift goes beyond the recommendations of the Gauke review and delivers on a key demand from victims' support organisations that have campaigned for the change for years. The move is designed to provide closure and validation to those who have suffered through the trauma of a trial.
Justice Minister Jake Richards highlighted the human impact of the reform by sharing the story of Sarah, a victim of sexual abuse. Following a harrowing four-week trial, Sarah described the judge's official sentencing comments as "so empowering, so validating." Minister Richards stated that this "small change will go some way to help victims" find a crucial sense of justice.
Fixing the System and Protecting the Vulnerable
The Sentencing Bill itself is a wide-ranging piece of legislation with a primary focus on addressing what the government calls a prison system crisis, inherited after 14 years of Conservative administration and now "on the brink of collapse." The bill promises the most extensive prison-building programme since the Victorian era to stabilise the service.
However, the government has emphasised that alongside fixing operational failures, it is bolstering protections for victims. This agenda is closely linked to the national Violence against Women and Girls Strategy, which has the ambitious target of halving incidents within ten years. Key measures include establishing specialist rape units in every police force across the country.
Substantial Investment in Support Services
The commitment to victims is backed by considerable financial investment. The government has allocated £550 million to the Victims Support Fund and is providing an additional £20 million to specialist frontline organisations. Further support will come through new dedicated referral services in GP surgeries, connecting victims with local specialist help.
For survivors of child abuse, the government is committing up to £50 million for trauma-informed care. This comprehensive approach aims to ensure the justice system delivers for victims in the long term, while also working to cut crime and reduce reoffending.
The provision of free sentencing remarks is presented as a clear symbol of this new direction. As the Sentencing Bill reaches its final stages, the government asserts that improving victim rights remains at the very heart of its justice reform agenda.
