The Office of the Victims’ Commissioner For England and Wales are currently undertaking research into the impact of delays in the court system on victims, victims’ services and the criminal justice system.
They aim to use the research to develop multiple recommendations for change, including recommendations to address the delays in the current court system, mitigate the impacts of the delays on victims, and improve how victims are treated, supported and communicated with whilst they wait for trial.
As part of the research, two online surveys have been launched; one for victim services staff and a second with victims themselves.
With the first survey, they aim to reach victims’ services staff who support victims going through the criminal justice system:
The survey link for staff is https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/Victim-services-staff-survey/
There is a Welsh language version here: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/Victim-services-staff-survey-welsh-version/
It goes live on 2nd August 2024 and will close on 30th August 2024.
Some examples of what it will explore include:
What are the impacts of delays in the court system on victims (emotional, practical, engagement with the criminal justice system etc)?
What are the impacts of delays in the court system on victims’ services and their staff?
With the second survey, they aim to reach victims and service users who have engaged with the criminal justice system (this can include current or past cases and victims who have since withdrawn from the criminal justice process).
The survey link for victims is https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/experiences-of-court/
There is a Welsh language version here: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/experiences-of-court-welsh-version/
It goes live on 2nd August 2024 and will close on 12th September 2024.
Some examples of what it will explore include:
How long are victims waiting for their court trial date?
How many court trial date changes are victims experiencing?
Thanks in advance to those who provide their time completing these surveys. Your support in this area of research is very much appreciated.
