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RJC Briefing on Ministry of Justice consultation - Getting it right for victims and witnesses consultation

On 30th January 2012 the Ministry of Justice published Getting it right for victims and witnesses as a consultation document. Alongside a wide range of proposals to reform both support services for victims and witnesses, and criminal injuries compensation, the Government’s desire to develop provision of restorative justice for victims of crime is clear.

The Restorative Justice Council welcomes the Government’s proposals on restorative justice. We have produced a four-page briefing for RJC Members highlighting the sections of Getting it right for victims and witnesses that refer to restorative justice.

The Restorative Justice Council will respond on behalf of the sector, and we welcome your views as members as to the points you wish us to make to Government on your behalf. For example:

  • Do you have a view on the use of the victim personal statement to allow victims to request – or reflect their experience of – restorative justice?
  • What advice should sentencers receive to ensure effective delivery of pre-sentence restorative justice?
  • What more is needed to build capacity for restorative justice across the system?

We would warmly encourage all our members to respond to Question 19 – the only one in the consultation paper directly on restorative justice (“What measures could be put in place to ensure the safety of the victims when undertaking restorative justice?”). The briefing provides guidance on three key issues to highlight in your response - quality training, quality practice and quality services.

You can download the RJC briefing note and Getting it right for victims and witnesses below.

Please send your views to inform the RJC response to gettingitright@restorativejustice.org.uk by 22nd March 2012.

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20th Feb 2012

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