EXCLUSIVE Baroness Newlove says victims must be given a stronger voice

Baroness Helen Newlove Credit: Family picture

Baroness Newlove says 'for too long' victims have been sidelined by the criminal justice system.

The mother of three became Victims' Commissioner after her husband Gary was kicked to death outside their home in Warrington in 2007.

In an exclusive interview with ITV Granada Reports, she's called on the government to introduce legislation that is meaningful for victims and gives them a voice.

The Victims' Commissioner wants a number of proposals to be included in a Victims' Law.

  • A Single Point of Contact for all victims

  • a number of hours free legal advice available for victims

  • a Victim Personal Statement is offered to all victims

  • free court transcripts for victims or their families

  • 100% of court-ordered compensation to be paid to victims upfront

  • having regard to the Victims' Commissioner's Standards

  • action take against agencies who do not comply with the law

In March this year, the Victims' Commissioner's review revealed the need for a trained professional, with sufficient knowledge of the criminal justice system to listen and respond to victims' needs.

She's spoken about the importance of offering victims the opportunity to make a Victim Personal Statement (VPS). She said,

"The offer should be made to all victims in order to begin to address the imbalance of justice."