Victims & Witnesses survey 2009
Last updated April 1, 2009
Survey to seek views of victims and witnesses
A SURVEY to ensure the needs of victims and witnesses are being met by the local criminal justice system (CJS) is being repeated by the Wiltshire Criminal Justice Board (WCJB).
The post-court survey will run from April 1 until June 30 in all Swindon and Wiltshire courts.
As part of the survey, the WCJB will be asking victims and witnesses to volunteer to sit on a consultative group.
The group will consider an action plan which is due to be developed at a victim and witness practitioners’ event on April 16.
The aim is to ensure the views of victims and witnesses are used to influence future decision-making.
The WCJB ran its first such survey for three months from mid October 2007 to mid January 2008.
There were ten questions which sought responses on issues such as service users being informed of case progress, whether their needs were addressed before court, their treatment in the courtroom, and contact and satisfaction with Victim Support, the Witness Service and the Witness Care Unit.
Generally, very positive feedback was collected, with a vast majority of all court users being satisfied with how well they were kept informed and treated in court.
There were numerous comments from respondents, many relating to waiting times in court premises.
All relevant agencies have therefore been committed to reducing these.
The aim of repeating the survey is to ensure services are monitored.
WCJB vice-Chair and lead for victims and witnesses, Karen Harrold, said: “Everyone working in criminal justice in Wiltshire and Swindon realises how vital it is that we build the confidence of victims and witnesses to ensure that their interests are protected and that we provide better support.
“To do that we believe this second survey will help us to listen and learn from those who have to give evidence at court.
"We know that for many, the effects of crime upon them can be difficult, and often traumatic, so it is important that we look carefully at what each CJS agency does at the different stages of handling crime to make such that we do not to add to their distress.
"The whole criminal justice system relies heavily on the willingness and active participation of victims and witnesses to be brave enough to come forward and report crime and then give evidence in court to ensure that offenders are brought to justice.”
New Government guidance has reconfirmed to the CJS the need to encourage the public to report crime and be witnesses.
Part of the ‘Justice For All’ Public Service Agreement focuses on increasing victim and witness satisfaction with the CJS.
The aim is to ensure victims and witnesses are receiving an excellent service from every criminal justice agency and that all Local Criminal Justice Boards deliver their commitment under the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime.