Julian Hendy, 'Hundred families response to Victims' Law consultation' (2/2/22)
Response to victims consultation "In summary we suggest the Victim’s law should: (1) specify that the NHS must be required to deliver services and entitlements to victims of mentally disordered offenders; (2) require the Crown Prosecution Service, NHS, Ministry of Justice agencies and medical professionals to share information with victims of mentally disordered offenders – particularly when an offender pleads guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility and/or receives a hospital order; (3) allow victims of mentally disordered offenders to give Victim Personal Statements at Mental Health Review Tribunals (also known as First Tier Tribunals (mental health)) considering the release of mentally disordered offenders; (4) require First Tier Tribunals (mental health) (a) to give victims the reasons for their decision, (b) to allow victims to request a review of a tribunal decision; (5) require all families of victims of mentally disordered offenders to be granted non-means-tested legal aid at Inquests involving state agencies; (6) should require NHS agencies to provide or finance appropriate trauma informed care and counselling services for victims of mentally disordered offenders; (7) should strengthen the powers of the Office of the Victims’ Commissioner so that agencies must have a statutory duty to cooperate with and provide information to the Commissioner and address any deficiencies; (8) should provide an easy and clear pathway – possibly through regional commissioners – to enable victims to complain effectively and obtain appropriate action and accountability if agencies fail to comply with the code."
See also