ÌÇÐÄTV

Despite improvements over the last two decades and £66m dedicated by the Government each year to services supporting victims and witnesses, many believe the ‘system’ has continued to fall far short of expectations. Victims of crime and the public must have confidence in a system which proves to be more responsive and easier to navigate to ensure that victims are put first and a coherent service is available in the aftermath of a crime.

A new Victims’ Information Service has been launched, including a helpline and website to make sure victims are guided to nearby support. Victims will also have to wait for less time to receive compensation, with consultation expected on paying victims the money they are owed up front.

18 months after the Government set out its plans for reform and with the recent result of the EU Referendum, this timely symposium provides an invaluable opportunity for criminal justice agencies, victim support services, local authorities and other key stakeholders to explore how vulnerable and intimidated victims and witnesses can be better protected and services tailored to individual needs to improve the victim experience.

Delegates will also:

• Understand the Government's package of reforms for victims, including a new Victims' Law
• Examine how victim and witness experience of the criminal justice system can be improved and the protection provided for vulnerable victims strengthened
• Discuss how to increase transparency and accountability, to ensure criminal justice agencies are held to account for the services they provide to victims
• Explore how partnership working can be bolstered to provide tailored services to individual needs and effectively capture problems confronting communities
• Consider how information on restorative justice and means of redress can be better provided to build victims’ confidence and ensure thorough responses for victims

I am pleased to advise you that we offer a 20% early registration discount off the standard delegate rates for all bookings received by 31st August 2016. For further details about the symposium, please refer to the enclosed event brochure. Do feel free to circulate this information to relevant colleagues within your organisation.

In the meantime, to ensure your organisation is represented, please or complete and return the attached registration form at your earliest convenience in order to secure your delegate place(s).