Invitation to contribute to thematic review on victims and witnesses

CJINI is currently undertaking a thematic review of the provision within the criminal justice system for the care of victims and witnesses. A Steering Group has been set up with representatives from the police, prosecution,
courts, victim support and CJINI. While the review is looking at the
wider issues it will also focus on particular groups of victims where
there are special concerns: victims of rape, victims of domestic violence, victims of hate crime including racial, homophobic and sectarian crime,
children and young people, certain vulnerable groups, older people
and people living with a disability.

The review will not restrict itself to looking at identified victims and witnesses, but will also take into its scope those victims who never report the offence and the potential witnesses who never come forward. It will examine how the agencies of the criminal justice system organise themselves to provide services to victims and witnesses. Finally, the review will make
recommendations designed to improve those services, some of which may come from victims and witnesses themselves, and from lay people with an interest in these issues.The review hopes to attract the participation of a wide range of people, since we believe that when the public see a criminal justice system that responds to their needs and comments, that this will increase public confidence in the system itself.

If you or anyone you know would like to contribute any views, observations or experiences we would like to hear from you.You can write, email, telephone or fax us at the address, telephone numbers and email addresses
below.We want to hear your views about:

1. the level of efficiency of services
2. the helpfulness of the services
3. quality of the services provided.

Contacts can be made with:
John Shanks (Lead Inspector)
john.shanks@cjini.gov.uk
Criminal Justice Inspection
6th Floor, 14 Great Victoria
Street, Belfast, BT2 7BA
Telephone 028 9025 8000
Fax 028 9025 8011